Douglas Richards Card

Douglas Richards Card 93, passed away peacefully on August 28th in his home in Santa Clara, California. He was with his beloved wife Lianne and their dear friend and caregiver “Lucky.”

Doug was born the fourth child of Orson Rega Card and Lucina Richards Card on November 18th, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dr. Richard Young Card, Delpha Card Park, and Willard Richards Card.

Doug attended Roosevelt Jr. High and East High School. Just prior to graduation, in April 1951, he left for active duty as a member of the Utah National Guard during the height of the Korean War. After two years of service in Kansas and Oklahoma, he returned home to attend the University of Utah where he studied electrical engineering, earning both a bachelor's and master's degree over five years of study. Doug received an honors degree from UC Berkeley in electrical engineering and received further advanced training at Stanford from 1961 to 1964. Doug completed his formal education with an MBA from Pepperdine University in 1977. Doug was a life-long learner, always reading and thinking about something new.

After his initial experience in the armed forces, Doug served in the Air Force Reserves, ultimately rising to the rank of Colonel. Doug was an active part of the defense industry, having both the technical ability and military clearances to work on highly sensitive projects. He served for almost a year at the Pentagon in addition to overseeing the interpretation of signal processing data coming off of the SR-71 spy planes. Doug was highly decorated, earning the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, among others. He was a true patriot.

There was considerable overlap in Doug's professional career, working with and for numerous defense contractors including Sylvania GTE, TRW, Argosystems, and ESL (Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory), founded by William J. Perry who ultimately served as Secretary of Defense in the Clinton administration. Doug was in the forefront of the rise and development of Silicon Valley as the world's technical mecca. Over time, his interests led him away from the technical engineering side into the financial and management aspects of the workforce. His skills were such that he was recruited out of retirement several times to work in management for companies in the defense sector.

His entrepreneurial endeavors included ownership in a motorcycle dealership, a minutes-recording enterprise for California-based corporations, tax preparation, and advisory roles for numerous startups. Doug supported and advised numerous non-profit organizations, including a Senior Center, a Women's Organization, Volunteer Police organizations, and the establishment of the 7 Circles Retreat in the Sierra mountains.

Doug met and married Julianne Housecroft on August 2nd, 1956. They welcomed their only child, a daughter, Ann, on May 29th, 1966. Doug and Julianne were separated in 1983 and later divorced in 1987. Doug met and married Lianne Oliver on April 25th, 1987, and became part of a family with Lianne's two sons, Manuel (15) and Eugene (7).

In his mortal sojourn, Doug was a high-achieving, highly respected, well-beloved, gentle soul. When asked about the formula for living a good life, he said: "First, have a good attitude. Second, learn to listen. Third, love unconditionally. And fourth, feel and express gratitude."

Doug was the embodiment of such a life.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lianne Oliver Card; his step-sons, Manuel Oliver (Harfijah, their son Isaiah) and Eugene Oliver; his daughter, Ann Card Weaver (John) and their children Hannah Baldwin (Jack), Maggie Shearer (Joey), Riley Weaver (Isabelle), and Samuel Douglas (named after his grandfather). Great-grandchildren include Piers and Kipling Baldwin, Nolan, Wolfgang, and Ada Shearer, and Marigold Weaver

Services will be held at the Veterans' Cemetery in Seaside, California, on October 13th at 2:00 PM.

Donations to Susila Dharma are encouraged in lieu of flowers. http://susiladharma.org/donate/