Dr. Richard Frank Sebok died peacefully in the early morning on Monday, March 7, 2016, after his sixteen year Cancer journey. He was born in Decatur, Illinois to William and Helen Sebok on September 27, 1938. He attended grammar and high school in Decatur, as well as college at Millikin University which was where he met the love of his life of 49 years, Karen Rubins. They built a wonderful life together as he pursued his distinguished career in higher education. After teaching in a small town near Decatur, he was quickly promoted to principal. Then, once married, he joined the staff at Millikin as Alumni Director. Moving his career to the University of Texas at El Paso in 1968, he taught a course in Communication. Upon later moving to California, he became the Assistant Dean of Students, then moved up to University Advancement at Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock, CA. Meanwhile, Dick and Karen were also building a family. Brook was born in Texas, and Brady and Kirsten were born in Modesto, CA. All three of their children grew up in Turlock as he completed his education with a Doctorate from the University of the Pacific.

All three children later married and blessed Dick and Karen with 8 wonderful grandchildren. Mackenzie, Beckett and Summer live in nearby Pacific Grove with Brook and Kristy, Boden and Grayson live back east in North Carolina with Brady and Ashley, and Ethan, Alex and Hudson live south in Templeton with Kirsten and Mike.

Dick had many loves in his life, the most precious to him were family, friends, and world travel. His happiest times were spent in the chaos of family gatherings, often joined by his many friends. Travel included camping trips, beach vacations and far flung international getaways, always with Karen at his side.

Dick joins his parents and older brother Bill in the hereafter, and is survived by a younger brother, Mike, as well as his loving wife and three children and their families. He will now be a guardian angel watching over them all with a caring heart, wise eyes and strong will. 

Husband, father, Papa, son, brother, friend and teacher, Dick possessed an amazing passion and love for life which was, and always will be, an inspiration to us all.

He preferred that we join in a Celebration of Life, not a funeral, which will be held at Mission Ranch in Carmel on March 18th, from 1 to 5pm. 

The family would welcome donations in Dick’s name to either the Carmel Mission Foundation or the Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.  

Condolences may be written to the family at www.bermudezfamilyfunerals.com