Richard “Dick” Nettelman

Born July 30, 1942

Died October 11, 2025

Richard William Nettelman was born in San Francisco CA to Austrian/German immigrant parents, Nettie and Otto. He attended St. Agnes school and later Riordan High School in San Francisco, where he graduated in 1960. Dick grew up working his paper route, building go-carts, parking cars at Kezar stadium, learning photography, and working on cars in his parent’s garage. He spent time with his father and brother Ed along with uncles and cousins up at Snow Mountain, where they went deer hunting each year. Dick was always up for adventure and loved going fast (which is funny because later in life one of his nicknames was SLO-pa!)! He was part of the drag race scene in the 50’s, and was proud of the trophies he won doing it. He and his friends also got into waterskiing and motorcycle riding. After a couple of years at City College, he got a job at Pacific Telephone, which would change his life. There he met Sandra “Sandy” Lynn Mizzaro, a young Italian girl with immigrant parents as well. They quickly became inseparable. They married in 1965 in San Francisco, just down the street from where Sandy lived. With the Vietnam War heating up, Dick and a few friends decided to enlist in the US Army before they got drafted. He entered basic training and was stationed at Fort Ord CA. He was a member of the US Army Reserves for 6 years before an Honorable Discharge in 1970. In 1971 he moved Sandy and their two young children, Leanne and Rich, to their dream home in Novato CA. Many of the neighbors remained lifelong friends. Dick did a lot of home improvements over the years and loved his house. The family spent countless summers and long weekends at Sandy’s family’s cabin in Loch Lomond, CA where Dick taught everyone how to waterski and ride motorcycles. He was involved in his kids activities—cub scouts, girl scouts, Bobby Sox, and Little League—coaching teams and fixing the fields. He loved the family’s dogs over the years, especially his Daisy girl, and he and Sandy were foster parents for a local dog rescue for quite a while. He retired from AT&T after 27 years, but continued his side business, Pacific Pool Equipment for many more. After Sandy passed, Dick stayed in Novato and supported his grandkids at their games, walked his dogs, and traveled. His favorite trip was to Europe with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed meeting his German relatives and seeing where his parents grew up, as well as where Sandy’s family originated from. He was a longtime member of the SIRS group in Novato and enjoyed the monthly meetings and the camaraderie it provided.

In later years, Dick had several health challenges, but he faced each one of them head on, with seemingly supernatural perseverance and an amazing attitude. He was tenacious! As his health declined, he moved down to Southern California to be closer to his daughter, Leanne. He was very friendly and loved to talk to everyone, making friends everywhere he went. He continued to enjoy time with those he loved right up to the end, passing away with family by his side.

Dick was an incredible role model to his kids and grandkids with his “never give up“ attitude. He always kept us laughing. Opa was truly one of a kind, with a heart of gold. We will miss him fiercely! Rest easy Ops. Your work here is done.

Dick is preceded in death by his wife, Sandy. He is survived by his children, Leanne (Nettelman) Chesser of Laguna Niguel CA (Doug Chesser), Rich Nettelman of Novato CA (Krystie Nettelman); 3 grandsons, Tyler Nettelman, Jake Nettelman, Ryan Chesser; and numerous family members.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of our dad to the Marin Humane Society at www.marinhumane.com