My beloved husband Richard A. (Dick) Carello was my Best Friend, Soul Mate and Team Mate!
Dick celebrated his birthday October 8, 2001 with his loving family members, friends and neighbors.
On October 15, 2001, a band of majestic Angels took Dick to Heaven!
Dick was born in Gillespie, Illinois on October 8, 1934, moved with his family, mother Alfonsina Carello, his brother Louis and sister Josephine (Jo) to California in 1947. On June 13, 1952 Dick graduated from Oroville Union High School. Dick attended Chico State and Sacramento State College. In 1967 Dick and Alfonsina had a wonderful opportunity to fly to Rome, Italy to visit family and friends in Milan and Montecreto!
Dick started his work career for the State of California in 1953 until his retirement from the Department of Transportation, as an Associate Mechanical Engineer in 1995. Dick was involved in over 165 testing equipment and building designs for Caltrans Lab. Dick had over 15 years of research experience developing corrosion protection strategies for our highway bridges. He was a team leader in the development of an innovative Cathodic Protection System to prevent the further deterioration of our salt contaminated bridges. Dick received a prestigious Excellent Award in Research for this project! Caltrans later patented this system!
One of Dick’s Best Friends at Caltrans over the years was Deane Coats. On the eve of Dick’s retirement, Dick had worked with the Concrete Section to develop a dual deck heating/corrosion protection system for bridges and developing guidelines for the statewide implementation of corrosion protection systems for bridges. Dick Carello’s Value to Caltrans: Dick set the standard for documentation, was highly organized and meticulous. Dick proved to be an Excellent Teacher, Illustrator, Communicator, Mentor, Tutor and Designer! Dick received numerous accolades throughout his 42 plus years with the State of California and Caltrans for his unique ability to work out long term solutions to problems rather than settling for a more expedient short term political fix!
Dick Carello was trusted and respected for his professional integrity!
Dick served in the Army for four years and was stationed in Whittier, Alaska. Dick’s dream was to be a pilot!
Dick had a lifelong love of auto racing which started in 1956 in sports cars. After Dick’s release from the Army, he started racing Go-Karts where he competed nationally over 15 years. Dick raced at Ontario, Laguna Seca, Ponoma and the Indianapolis Raceway Park at the Jackson-Michigan International Raceway where he finished third in his class at Nationals! Dick had placed first and second in numerous other races. Dick shared a remarkable story with me – there was a crash where he received only some minor scratches after his Go-Kart rolled over 12 to 13 times at 120 mph. The crash occurred due to the failure of the only part on his race car, that Dick had not designed! Dick’s Best Friend and Team Mate in racing was Terry Ives. Dick served as President of the Capitol Kart Club. Below is a photo of Dick’s race car that he designed and built! After Dick’s death his love for Go-Karts was carried on by our loving nephew Ronald Carello for a number of years!
Dick had a love for ballroom dancing where he met me, a dance instructor at the Morris Dance Studio!
Dick and I were married on a day that he would never forget Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, 1976!
Through my involvement as a Figure Skating Judge and Referee, Dick became a Sectional Accountant for the United States Figure Skating Association, attending and officiating at countless qualifying and non-qualifying competitions throughout the United States and Canada! Dick was a member of the Capital City Figure Skating Club and was presented a prestigious award for his outstanding work as Newsletter Editor 1977-1979! Dick and I researched/developed and wrote the acclaimed How To Precision Manual on June 6, 1987, to benefit the Sierra Nevada Figure Skating Club Organizing Committee for the 1988 U.S. National Precision Skating Championships! Dick was honored as a Lifetime member of the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club in 2001! Dick was elected Treasurer for the Central California Inter-Club Association (CCIA)! Dick served as Chief Accountant and Program Chair for the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club’s memorable, popular and highly successful Oktoberdancefest Competitions and the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club’s Winter Classic Synchronized Team Skating Competitions at Snoopy’s Home Ice!
2000 Oktoberdancefest Competition at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena – Santa Rosa, California!
Dick was a Guest Speaker on the USFSA Accounting Procedures for the Summer in San Francisco Synchronized Skating Clinic/Judges School July 2-3, 1999!
Dick served as the Official Program Chair, Photographer and Stage Coordinator for the 1974-1977 Miss Teenage America Sacramento Pageants (Not A Beauty Pageant) sponsored by Nor-Cal Beverage Co., Inc., local bottler of Dr Pepper!
Dick was an avid bowler and a member of the Young At Heart Senior League at Alpine Bowling Lanes where he bowled with his competitive brother Louis! Dick had a natural pendulum arm swing! In 2001, Dick’s highest league series 753, his highest league games 267 and his bowling average 190 plus! Dick and I with bowling members Roy King and Sue Robinson won the very competitive Mather Bombers League Championships at Cordova Lanes!
Dick took time out to pose with his 1939 Buick Convertible Classic!! Dick is dancing in Heaven that his 1939 Buick Convertible Classic has won several prominent National Antique Restoration Awards since Earl Beauchamp, an Angel from Sebring, Florida purchased Dick’s vehicle and has completely restored it.
Dick loved his family, his church and our numerous pets! Dick’s home was his Castle!
Dick was admired, loved, respected and trusted by his peers, family, friends and neighbors!
Dick enjoyed his role as Uncle Richie to Ronald, Tina, Julie, Jeannine, Eddie, Great Uncle to Jennifer, Kelly and Jeannae and as Uncle Dick to Keith and Heidi!
Dick was multi-talented! Another love of Dick was photography! Before his death Dick created a memorable Carello Family Library!
I miss Dick’s hugs, smiles, his wonderful sense of humor, kindness, patience, expertise, compassion, advice, his encouragement and his outstanding HELP!
Dick enjoyed cooking and baking in his spare time. His friends and neighbors miss his scrumptious homemade chocolate cookies with walnuts!
Throughout my television/radio/public relations career, Dick was most proud of my TV Special where he served in the capacity as my special Advisor and most trusted Assistant!
I am grateful that Dick designed all my professional business cards, letterheads with matching envelopes, brochures and promotional buttons!
Dick and I designed, created, wrote and produced the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club’s professional and colorful Official Competition Entry Announcements for Oktoberdancefest Competitions and for the Winter Classic Synchronized Team Skating Competitions!
Dick and I designed our own Bowling Logo!
Dick and I designed our own Precision Lion Logo Skating Pin!
Dick represented me at various beauty pageants throughout Sacramento as a Celebrity Judge!
Dick appeared as Snoopy during the Crossroads Shopping Promotional Events!
My Beloved Husband Dick and I enjoyed working together, officiating at figure skating competitions, dancing, bowling, bonding with our pets, helping others and travelling!
Dick taught me a very valuable lesson that when you write, it is vital that you do not write to be understood, but you write so you are not misunderstood!
I was Blessed when God brought this gentle soul into my life!
My debonair escort at the Mercy Hospital Guild of Sacramento 31st Floral Headdress Ball at The Woodlake Inn on Saturday, February 25, 1984!
Dick Lives In My Heart Forever!
My Favorite Photos of my Beloved Richard A. (Dick) Carello!
1979 Family Photo!
First Row Left To Right – Tina, Prudence, Louis and Alfonsina Carello, Jo and Herky Norton! Second Row Left To Right – Ronald Carello, Tom and Julie Hays, Jeannine Norton, Nola Joy and Dick and Eddie Norton!
Our Wedding Photo, February 14, 1976!
Left To Right – Heidi, Zelma, Catherine, Nola Joy, Dick, Alfonsina and Louis!
2001 USFSA Governing Council Meeting, Mother’s Day Weekend, Las Vegas, Nevada!
Thank You, My Beloved Dick, for trusting me throughout the years!
This Glittering Purple Rose Is For You, My Beloved Dick! I Love You! I Miss You!
Richard A. (Dick) Carello
October 8, 1934 – October 15, 2001!
