This blog post pays tribute to Richard “Dick” Peters—Richi to his Swiss family—whose life stretched from Swiss mountain roots to the California Bay Area. Dick died peacefully on February 9, just shy of 99, with his wife Betty, three sons, and a wide circle of Marin County friends by his side.
His story moves from Swiss vineyards and alpine trails to the cozy neighborhoods of Mill Valley, Sausalito, and San Rafael. There, he built homes, shared his craft, and kept a spirit of adventure alive.
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A Marin County Legacy: Dick Peters’ Life Across Southern Marin
Born in Switzerland as the youngest of 11, Dick trained early as a cabinetmaker and carpenter. That training set the course for a Bay Area life that touched every corner of Marin County.
He left Switzerland with just 35 cents in his pocket, sailing to America under the sponsorship of his brother Othmar. When he landed in San Francisco, his heart brimmed with possibility.
Just a month after arriving, he met Betty, another Swiss from his hometown. Their partnership blossomed into nearly 70 years of marriage.
They planted their roots in the Bay Area—first in San Francisco’s bustling neighborhoods, then in South Marin towns like Corte Madera and Larkspur. Eventually, they settled into the hills of Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Sausalito, right along the edge of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Through a long career, Dick built many homes in Southern Marin. Neighbors in Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, and San Rafael respected his sturdy craftsmanship and practical elegance.
Even as his tools wore thin, Dick kept working with wood and tackling heavy outdoor projects well into his 90s. He’d insist he could still fell trees, cut logs, and build staircases with the same patient devotion he’d learned as a Swiss apprentice.
Roots in Switzerland and a Bay Area Dream
“In those mountain days,” Dick would say, remembering a Swiss childhood full of apprenticeship rigor and mountain adventures. Family called him Richi, a nickname that stuck through years of daring climbs and deep loyalty.
He loved biking in the Alps, primitive skiing, and fly-fishing trips to British Columbia. In Marin, he took his sons camping and skiing across the parks and mountain corridors near Fairfax and Lagunitas, turning family outings into memories that stuck for decades.
A Family Man and a Craftsman Who Shaped Marin
Dick and Betty built a life across the Bay Area, leaving a real mark on Southern Marin. Loyalty, generosity, and deep friendships threaded through their Marin County community.
From early days in San Francisco to later home-building projects in Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Tiburon, Dick’s influence endured. He is survived by his wife Betty; three sons, Steve (and Ines), Mike (and Koko), and Rick (and Mare); and two grandchildren, Christopher and Nicole.
- Built numerous homes in Southern Marin—projects across Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Tiburon, and Sausalito.
- Active woodworker into his 90s—a testament to his craft and love of timber.
- Outdoor enthusiast—biking in the Alps, fly-fishing in British Columbia, and family skiing and camping around Marin’s hills and coast.
- Storyteller and friend—his Swiss childhood anecdotes and decades of loyal friendships formed a durable Marin community.
Memorials and Ways to Honor Dick
A memorial service happens at the Church of Our Saviour in Mill Valley on June 27 at 11:00 a.m. Friends from all over Marin—from Sausalito to San Rafael, from Larkspur to Fairfax—are welcome to gather and swap stories.
The family asks that, instead of flowers, folks consider donating to Homeward Bound of Marin. Dick cared deeply about this group, which helps people in need throughout Marin County.
All around Marin, from the hills of Tamalpais Valley to the docks of Sausalito and Tiburon, people remember him. Dick Peters really was the kind of craftsman who built more than just homes—he built communities too.
He was a father with a spirit for adventure, and those stories still echo with his family and friends. Marin County feels a little different without him, but his impact sticks around.
Here is the source article for this story: Richard “Dick” Peters Obituary
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