Richard Gilman Carver

Richard Gilman Carver (Rich), 69, of Santa Paula, California, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Rich was born on November 30, 1950, in Bennington, Vermont to H. Gilman Carver (d.1998) and Hazel Carver nee Zobie (d.2011).  He spent significant time in Walloomsac, New York with his beloved aunt, Pauline Bradley (d.1993), and later in Hoosick Falls, New York with father and stepmother, Florence (d.1998).  He graduated from The State University of New York at Albany in 1973 and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota in 1976.

Rich practiced law in Bismark, North Dakota for fifteen years. Although he enjoyed success as a lawyer, he decided to move to sunny Southern California in 1990 in a quest to escape the snow. He moved to Ventura County in 1993, fell in love with the beaches and weather, and had been a resident ever since. Switching careers, he retired from State Farm Insurance in 2013 after more than twenty years of service.

In retirement he reignited his passion for acting and theater, joining a local club, Ventura Actors Studio.  Some of his favorite roles included a burly detective in a TV pilot, Father Time in a murder mystery dinner party, and Principal Sweet. He enjoyed long walks on the beach and would often pause to watch the sea birds.  His love of nature and animals also led him to the zoo on a regular basis where he could be found seated in front of his favorite animal enclosures, especially the elephants.  Rich was known among friends and neighbors for his love of humor and frequent jokes.  His jovial and caring nature made him friends in all walks of life, including special connections with owners and waitstaff at his favorite restaurants, neighbors, and store clerks.

Rich is survived by his two children, Melissa Garner nee Carver (Andrew Garner) and Whitney Carver; two grandchildren, Blaire Garner and Adam Garner; brother James Carver (Maggie Carver), nephew Alex Carver (Leslie Carver) and niece Kristin Zapata (Mark Zapata); step-sister, Joyce Turner; and mothers of his children Lynne Carver and Leslie Soyster.

A celebration of Rich’s life will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 2pm at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, CA. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed.  Link to follow shortly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in honor of Rich’s life to one of the following organizations:

Santa Barbara Zoo (https://m.pivvit.com/campaign/general-donations)
Surfrider Foundation of Ventura County (https://secured.surfrider.org/memorial)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (bbsvc.org/donate)

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director

~ PLEASE BRING A LAWN CHAIR TO THE RECEPTION AT THE PARK ~