In memory of rich desmond

By Daniel Castor

I had been working with Rich Desmond on various projects over 10 years. When we leased the old Seed Bank in Petaluma he was the only contractor I called. When bids for the required building repairs came in at 3X our budget I said: “Rich, we can’t do this.” He told me: “I trust you. I believe in what you are doing. I want you to succeed. Pay me when you can pay me.”

Halfway through construction, he received a terminal cancer diagnosis. I told him he should be at the beach, but he insisted on coming to work. He said: “This is what I do.” He wasn’t allowed to drive, so his wife Lisa brought him to the jobsite every day he didn’t have a medical appointment or procedure. It’s now been two years since we finished the work and re-opened the building as a community event venue.

We lost Rich earlier this summer. I regret we weren’t able to pay our debt before he passed, but we recently sent the final check to Lisa. So, we finally paid our debt, but we will always be indebted to him for the work that he did and the way he did it. We dedicate Hall of the Above to the memory of Rich Desmond. Much love to Lisa Desmond, their family, and their friends.