ForeverMissed
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His Life
Richard Taylor Circa 1966

Testament of Minutes Milpitas City Council Sept 17th 2013

October 20, 2013

ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Esteves adjourned the Council meeting at 7:41 PM in memory of Richard B.
Taylor, a former Mayor ofthe City of Milpitas in 1960.
The foregoing minutes were approved by the Milpitas City Council as submitted on October 1,2013.
Mary Lavelle
Milpitas City Clerk

Richard Taylor's Obituary

October 20, 2013
FORMER MAYOR AND CITY SHAPER OF MILPITAS PASSES AT 83 Richard B. “Dick” Taylor (November 22nd 1929 - September 17th 2013) passed away in a Los Angeles hospital following a short Illness. Richard was Milpitas' third Mayor (chosen in 1960 until 1962-though some reports show 1957 to 1962) and a retired real estate agent. He served on the Milpitas City Council from 1958 to 1966, was President of The Milpitas Businessman’s Association in 1968 and 1969. He served on various Planning and City Commissions well into the 1970's.
Born in 1929 in Nebraska, to Captain (retired Major) B.A. and Edna Taylor, a military family, Richard lived all over the world until the early 1950's when the Family settled in Carmel, California. A Graduate of San Jose State University, he received degrees in Advertising and Political Science. There he met Diane Burton, also a Graduate of San Jose State. They married and settled in Milpitas in 1955, purchasing one of the first houses built in “The Manor” section. Both heavily involved in work for and with the city, Diane Taylor was honored with Milpitas Woman of the Year for multiple service to the community including: PTA President, March of Dimes, The Milpitas Economic Opportunity Committee, Organization of at least two chapters of Beta Sigma Phi, and a member of the Bachelor Belles Social Club (Later called “The Lunch Bunch”) in March of 1966. Honored with a tree and plaque, unfortuantley they were removed from the lawn at City Hall during renovations in the early 2000's. Married for almost 45 years, after her passing in 2000 Richard moved to Sunnyvale, where he met and married his beloved 2nd wife, Ana Maria Sanchez,R.N. in 2005. Richard was involved with advertising and employed for the Foster & Kleiser Co, and owned Milpitas Real Estate into the 1970's when he transitioned into a nightclub owner in San Jose. During his years with the City, Richard was prominent in Milpitas Frontier Days, (later re -named Fiesta Days) started in 1962, and showed an unwavering love for his community by working to ensure that the Ford Plant stayed in Milpitas. He continued to serve the City and surrounding areas with quality jobs, and served on committees to save the Milpitas hillsides from overreaching development. Richard helped to start many of the commissions that still exist in Milpitas today, from Planning to the Inner-Cities Mayoral Council, and arranged for Milpitas to receive it's water from the Hetch Hetchy supply; considered one of the best water supplies in the Nation. Successive Mayor, William "Denny" Weisgerber, quoted in a past issue of The Milpitas Post 1,“Besides being very good friends, Richard was truly instrumental in the growth and development of the City, he continued to fight the City of San Jose over disputed land boundaries, most notably the Landess and Trimble borders, and always looked to the good of the City” Richard, along with members of the City Council and many of the Milpitas “Freedom Fighters”, rallied together in 1961 and San Jose's continuing efforts to incorporate Milpitas failed. This is why the 1776 Minutemen symbol became the City Seal. "Tyranny in any shape or form will not tolerated here.” My Father once told me, he,Tom Evatt and the many who fought for the City were firm believers in “The Little Town that could”. Richard worked with and had great friendships with many of the people that built Milpitas, including Sal "Mr. Milpitas" Cracolice, Bob Cracolice, Josephine Guerrero and so many more. He shared his Real Estate office with Tom Evatt and later Nat Souza from Farmers Insurance. (Side note: the Souza name in insurance is still one of the most trusted in the City and surrounding areas. Nat's son, David, runs the same office.) Some of Richard's fondest memories were playing Dominoes with his office pals and traveling with his family.

His tireless dedication to the community, along with many of the City Founders, and his dear friend, first Mayor Tom Evatt, will be felt for many generations to come.   In thanks for his service, Taylor Street was added in one of the new developments built as the workforce at the Ford plant increased. Even after his “official” service to the City ended, Richard was called upon and asked to advise on many issues.   Richard and Diane raised two daughters in Milpitas: Deborah, who graduated from Milpitas High School, and Danna who graduated from Airpointe High. Both went on to college, and both have exhibited Richard's passion for writing.   Richard enjoyed books, researching The J.F.K years, writing, films, and trips, and always loved getting together with his old friends for a game of cards or Dominoes. He was also an expert marksman, and served in the National Guard and Army Reserves, as well as being active in his father's ROTC classes, where he assisted Captain Taylor.   His youngest daughter, Danna, who lived in Milpitas into her late 20's remembers: “My Father loved this city; both my parents did. They, and so many others made this a City that was wonderful to grow up in. They were fighters against injustice, and wanted to see everyone within the City limits prosper, to have good, respectable jobs, safe water, good utilities and a City Government you could depend on. My Father worked tirelessly with law enforcement to be sure that we had safe streets, that as teenagers we had places to go and be ourselves, and not have to worry about gangs, or that sex offenders were running rampant. Residents would call my Dad as long as we lived there, asking for help or advice. My folks never let anyone go hungry, and when we owned commercial real estate, my parents never threw people out if they were going to be late on the rent. He was a well-rounded leader- he was tough - you have to be in politics, in running a City - but he always looked to his heart.

Many people don't know that my father not only employed disabled people, but troubled people that had issues with mental stability. He gave them jobs, took them to Doctor’s appointments, and helped them carve out a life. He would give you his last dollar, the shirt off his back, and he just wanted people to be secure. He carried around a 50 pound bag of cat food in his car and fed colonies of feral cats every night, helped trap and pay for spay and neuter programs. Sure, he was busy so much that one on one time with him was hard to get sometimes, but he always let us know that we were his world. I can't think of a parent I would have rather had. He taught me how to ride and bowl, and put off business trips when I was sick.”

“I am so proud of what my Parents accomplished. As for the the City of Milpitas, behind the mega mall and the silicon chips beats the heart of the ideals Milpitas was founded on. It's a legacy that I know myself and many of the “original” families are very proud of. I know I am very proud of my Dad, and I will miss him everyday, as I do my Mother. We can't let our founders and shapers be forgotten, or we lose what makes us great."   The Milpitas City Council adjourned the September 17th, 2013 meeting in Honor of Richard's Service, Dedication and Memory.   Richard is survived by his 2nd wife, Ana Maria Sanchez-Taylor, and his  Daughters, Deborah Hollis of San Jose and Danna Taylor, of Los Angeles, CA, and his Grandson, Stuart Hollis.
I would like to thank our dear Family friends, The Souzas, for helping us in this hard time. I am also grateful to the Milpitas Historical Society. People like this are what will keep Milpitas from being “Just another Silicon Valley City.”   In lieu of Flowers, the Family asks that donations be made to the Santa Clara Valley Humane Society   Services were held October 20th, 2013 at St Philip's Episcopal Church in San Jose
1- Thanks to the Milpitas Historical society