Richard Franklin Eller, 94, of Red Bluff, CA, died peacefully at his residence on his birthday, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Rich was born in Clarkson, WA, and was the son of the late Lydia and Frank Eller. He attended Grangeville High School and later graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in business.

After college, Rich enlisted at both Fort Ord in Monterey, CA, and the Presidio in San Francisco, CA. Upon completion of his military service, Rich attended UC Berkeley's MBA program and from there, entered into the Management Trainee Program at JC Penney. He was a manager there for over 27 years in the San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Petaluma, Red Bluff, and Redding stores.

Rich loved life. He was an avid outdoorsman. As a boy, he hunted, fished, played baseball, and ran track. In his later years, he loved to ski, swim, hike, camp, golf, paint, play tennis and garden. He had an affinity for classic cars, antiques, clocks, aeronautics, history, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, playing the saxophone, and reading novels involving political intrigue.

Rich had a keen business sense and loved to invest and negotiate the perfect "deal". This included cars, real estate, and garage sales. No venture was too large or small as long as the price was right! For many years, the family joke was that his unofficial office was Starbucks. With any life endeavor, Rich invested himself 110% with passion to succeed supported by an unrivaled work ethic. Rich loved his friends, family, and faith in God. These special relationships were the center of his life and hi most cherished priority.

Rich is survived by his beloved wife, Margarita Eller, his son, David Eller, his daughter, Alicia Perez, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and his first wife, Nancy Griffin.

In addition, Rich was predeceased by his daughter, Teri Smith, and older brother, Clair Eller. Rich loved and lived life with passion and purpose. He will be forever missed and loved.