Richard Christian Pennock, better known as Dick, passed away on July 1, 2026, at the age of 92 years.  Dick was born on March 24, 1934, in Porterville, California, the second of two identical twin boys born to Muriel Christian Pennock and Harry Pennock.

The twins, Jack and Dick, grew up in Porterville, a small town in the San Joaquin Valley with stints in the Los Angeles area.

Jack and Dick were poster boys of the ’50s with fast cars and small-town shenanigans. We are heartened to know that the twins are back together again.

At age 18, both enlisted in the military. Jack in the Air Force and Dick in the Navy. Set to be deployed to Korea, Dick was in the San Francisco Bay area when he noticed the Navy Swim Team times posted at the Navy Training Center in Treasure Island. 

Indicating that he “could beat those times” Dick was given the opportunity and instead of war in Korea became a Navy Swimmer competing against powerhouses Cal and Stanford.

Following the Navy, Dick became a firefighter for the city of Hawthorne, California. While working as a firefighter he used his GI bill to attend the University of Southern California. He obtained both his BS and Masters degrees in public administration from USC.

Dick met Patti Manning, a flight attendant living with other “stewardesses” by the pool in the apartment complex where they both lived. Dick and Patti married in 1960 and welcomed only daughter Lynn Pennock (Springer) in 1965.

Dick began a long career in public administration, first as city manager of the city of Hawthorne, followed by a long stint in the city of Pasadena, culminating in his tenure as the director of Administrative Services.

Dick’s sense of adventure led him to leave Pasadena take a job with Parsons Engineering in Saudi Arabia for three years, which provided him and Patti with the opportunity to travel the world.
Dick and Patti retired back to California, where he picked up his hobbies of sailing, stained glass, and classic cars joining the Roaming Angels in Grass Valley.

Dick was an avid USC Football fan and was rarely not seen wearing his favorite USC hat.

Dick and Patti moved to Carpinteria in 2015 to be closer to family.

Dick is preceded in death by his twin brother Jack. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; daughter Lynn Pennock Springer (David); son-in-law David Springer; grandchildren Ryan Springer and Aly Springer; sister-in-law Patricia Pennock; nieces Peggy Pennock Mulligan (Brian) and Julie Pennock Peterson (Brent); nephew Jon Pennock (Stacey); and all their amazing kids.

Thanks to all the wonderful caregivers and staff at Gran Vida in Carpinteria for providing kind and supportive care in these last two years.