Richard Michael Blumberg

From a Mekong River cruise to an African safari to a ridge-top observatory in his own Arizona backyard, Richard Michael Blumberg loved a good adventure with a breathtaking view. If a spectacular deal or a special discount got him there, all the better. When he died on Tuesday, December 9, at age 79, Richard had recently returned from his latest adventure, which combined three of his passions-travel, sports and family- having spent a lively evening cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish alongside his son, Jonathan, and his second-eldest granddaughter, Scarlett. Richard was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in Wisconsin and the Twin Cities. He was proud of his family lineage. His grandfather, Moses Zimmerman, was a renowned Minnesota horse trader who, at the height of World War I, was a major supplier of horses and mules to the British, French and American governments. Richard attended both undergraduate and law school at Notre Dame, making him a proud "Double Domer." While at Notre Dame, he participated in ROTC, volunteered for Legal Aid, formed close friendships that persisted over decades, and studied at University College in London. Following in his father's footsteps, he enlisted in the military in 1970 at Ford Hood in Texas, rising through the ranks to first lieutenant. During the Vietnam War, he held a senior personnel leadership role with the 1st Cavalry Division–one of the Army's most prominent combat divisions–overseeing promotions, assignments, and official records for soldiers under his charge, a job typically held by a captain or major. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal for "exceptionally meritorious serviceprofessional knowledge, devotion to duty, meticulous attention to detail, indomitable spirit and assiduous pursuit of professional excellence." After his honorable discharge, Richard moved to Houston, where he pursued oil and gas law, working his way up to vice president and assistant general counsel. Through purchases at a local art gallery, he met his wife and they had two children, Deborah and Jonathan. On weekends, Richard relished caring for the expansive garden at his Houston home, growing gorgeous, fragrant roses that frequently perfumed the house. He spent many years volunteering at a food pantry that served people with HIV/AIDS. In his later years after his divorce, he lived in a variety of places, from the punishing cold of Polson, Montana to the scorching desert heat of Green Valley, Arizona. Wherever he lived, he quickly integrated himself into the local community. He displayed his photos at a local art center as part of the Green Valley Recreation Photography Club, made friends in a church group, chatted up fellow swimmers at his community pool, and hosted dinner parties where he cooked and served shrimp, steak and fine wine. Over the years, Richard remained a loyal fan of Notre Dame football, the Fighting Irish. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family to watch pivotal games. He took daily walks with his beloved lab mix, Pattie, and at night relaxed in his recliner with his cat, Valentino, happily curled up in his lap. Richard was also an avid patron of the arts-the symphony, musicals and fine arts exhibitions. He supported The Tucson Symphony, the Arizona Opera, The Tubac Arts Center, and The Tucson Museum of Art. He was also a long-time supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, and a thirty-plus-year Bronze-Level member of The Special Olympics Winners Circle for his support of athletes. Richard took great pride in his four granddaughters, closely following their progress at school, soccer games, piano concerts, musicals and softball games. He amused them with his quirky contests, sending pictures of random rock formations or vegetation he'd see while traveling, asking them to guess what animal shape they saw, and then sending them modest cash prizes if they guessed "right." He visited 43 of the country's 63 national parks, including less famous ones like Voyageurs in Minnesota and Indiana Dunes. He traveled to over 100 countries, and enthusiastically texted pictures and videos to his family-"kissing" giraffes in South Africa and him swinging a lasso at the Calgary Stampede Museum-so they could join in on his travels. He loved choosing trinkets and treasures to bring home as gifts and amassed an extensive folk art collection and fridge magnet from destinations he'd visited. His last international trip was a week in Portugal, where he cruised the Douro River and sampled port wine on a Road Scholar trip. He relished meeting new people and learning how they lived. He loved a fine meal and an upgrade to a suite with a view. Richard is preceded in death by his father, Robert C. Blumberg of St. Paul, Minnesota, his mother, Claudia Marguerite "Peppy" Heinen Blumberg, and his younger brother, James Blumberg. He's survived by his daughter, Deborah Lynn Blumberg, her husband, Jonathan Adler, their daughters Sadie and Lilah, and his son Jonathan Blumberg, and his wife Tiffany Redmon, and their daughters Scarlett and Harper, and his twin brother, Robert Blumberg Jr. A funeral service will be December 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm, at W. F. Gormley & Sons Funeral Home,  2015 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, California 95811. A burial with honors will be December 30, 2025, at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 10 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of his favorite Arizona animal rescues, Equine Voices, or The Special Olympics. For updates, please reach out through deborahlynnblumberg.com.