Richard William (Dick) Queirolo, Sr.

March 18, 1911 - April 12, 2008

Richard William (Dick) Queirolo, Sr. passed away peacefully on April 12, 2008, at the age of 97. Dick was born in San Francisco on March 18, 1911 to William and Sadie Queirolo.

Dick was a graduate of Lick Wilmerding High School in San Francisco in the class of 1929. He was active in football and baseball, served as Student Body President and was a life member of the Lick Wilmerding Lux Alumni Association.

Dick was a sheet metal contractor and owner of Q-Rolo Sheet Metal Products in San Francisco. He was president of the San Francisco Sheet Metal Contractors Association in 1983 and also an Honorary Life Member of the Association. After retirement, he continued to use his artistic talent to design and create metal art, sculpture and lighting. During this period he worked as a design and construction consultant for George Lucas during construction of Skywalker Ranch in Lucas Valley from 1983 to 1985.

Dick also worked as a television news cameraman for KPIX-TV from 1960 until 1970, working on news stories with his wife, Wanda Ramey, first woman news anchor on the west coast. He later started Q-Rolo Films and produced film and video from 1960 until 1980. One of Dick’s proudest accomplishments was founding and sponsoring the Inmate Film Workshop at San Quentin Prison from 1960 – 1980. He was the only person to take inmates out of San Quentin Prison on three State of California film projects. His workshop also filmed The Cage, a play written and acted solely by inmates in 1963. The Cage was shown on KQED TV. Dick received the San Quentin Wardens Award in 1996 for his service as a volunteer.

Dick was past commodore of the Lake Merritt Sailing Club and a Life Member of Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. He enjoyed sailing and racing on the San Francisco Bay. He built one of the first homes on the Belvedere lagoon and was founder and first president of the Belvedere Lagoon Property Owners Association in 1950. In 1962 Dick built a vacation home in Calistoga where he and Wanda enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Over the years he also resided in Oakland, Mill Valley, San Rafael and Novato.

Dick and Wanda moved to the Tamalpais in Greenbrae to enjoy their active retirement years. Dick was president of the Tamalpais Residents Council in 1989 and received the Volunteer of the Year award in 1993. In 1995 he received the State Volunteer Service Award given by the California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

In his late 80s Dick had gotten back to his first love, cartooning and caricature drawing. He continued to work at his drawing table daily until shortly before his passing. He entertained the residents of the Tamalpais with cartoons about life as a senior citizen and was known for his sharp wit. He enjoyed creating caricatures of the staff in charcoal and pastel. Over the years he painted in oil, sculpted in clay and created many signs and decorations.

Dick was truly a “renaissance man” who had a zest for life and lived it to it’s fullest. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his many gifts and talents.

Dick is survived by his wife, Wanda, his son Richard Queirolo Jr. (Janet), daughter Kristi Steadman (Dan), grandchildren Dana Bralley (Steve), Michael Queirolo (Christy), Dennis Queirolo (Annie), Colton Miller, William Steadman, Mia Steadman and Alison Harris. Great grandchildren, Marissa Bralley, Morgan Bralley, Daisy Queirolo, Enzo Queirolo, Corey Powers, Brittany Powers and Raymond Harris. Nephew William O’Brien (Renee) and their sons Steve and Paul. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Sadie, and his sister Dorothy O’Brien.

A memorial for Dick took place on Saturday, April 26, at The Tamalpais Auditorium, 501 Via Casitas, Greenbrae, CA.

Memorial contributions can be made in Richard Queirolo’s name and sent to Lick Wilmerding High School, Attn: Lillian Gardner, 755 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112 or to the The Tamalpais Tomorrow Fund, 501 Via Casitas, Greenbrae, CA 94904.