Richard “Dick” Gerken Davy

davy-richard-web
Sept. 7, 2016

Richard “Dick” Gerken Davy passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Sept. 7. Dick lived in Los Angeles for his entire 83 years, with the exception of his time spent on the USS John A. Bole destroyer during the Korean War. He married the love of his life Brenda Gilchrist in 1962 and they built a life together in La Crescenta, raising four beautiful daughters.

Along with continuing the legacy of his father’s plumbing and heating business, J.F. Davy Company, Dick worked for Precision Aero Engines from 1975-1986 and took that experience to continue on as an aviation consultant for the rest of his life. His true passion was found with his inclusion in the QB, an exclusive aviation club founded by World War I pilots and considered an extreme honor to receive its lifetime invitation. Many Saturday mornings were spent at the Van Nuys airport swapping stories with his tight-knit group of friends. Dick also loved to tinker in his garage, using his mechanical and electrician skills to build clocks and watches.

Dick attended St. Bede’s Church every Sunday, and he and Brenda made lasting friendships during their 54 years in La Crescenta. Many family vacations were spent at their favorite spot at Kennedy Meadows Campground in Sonora, California, where Dick could be found relaxing in his favorite uniform of shorts, sandals and pipe. He was also known to don a top hat for special occasions. Dick and Brenda loved their life in La Crescenta, and their daughters have stayed close, raising their families nearby.

Dick is survived by his wife, Brenda Davy; children Lynn Davy Bertram (Michael), Colleen Davy Brandt (Ray), Kim Davy Campbell (Michael), and Karen Davy; grandchildren Dakota, Molly, Cameron, Alex, Steven, Nate and Natalie. He has now joined his baby grandson, Cole, in Heaven.

Memorial services will be held at St. Bede’s Church in La Cañada at 10 a.m. on Sept. 15. The interment will be held at Forest Lawn Mortuary, Hollywood Hills at 10:30 a.m. on Sep. 16. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/give) in Dick’s memory.