Richard DeGolia, M.D. died April 7, 2004 at the age of 83.  A descendent of an American Revolutionary and great-grandson of a '49er, Dr. DeGolia was born in Oakland to Harold and Ruth DeGolia of Atherton.  After graduating from UC Berkeley, he joined the Naval Air Corps ("Fighting Golden Bears") as a fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS Bunkerhill and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eleven Air Medals.

Following his marriage to Sallie VanDyke and the completion of medical training, Dr. DeGolia developed a premier pediatric practice and was a leader in both the pediatric and broader medical community of Long Beach.  He was instrumental in the creation of Miller Children's Hospital Medical Center of Long Beach.  He served for years on the Governing Boards of both Children's Hospital and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and was President of the Staff at Children's Hospital.  He donated his time to community clinics and the training of residents.

Dr. DeGolia is survived by his wife, Sallie VanDyke DeGolia of Oceanside, sons Richard C. DeGolia, Jr. of Atherton, VanDyke DeGolia, M.D. (Lela) of Encino, Peter A. DeGolia, M.D. (Rachel) of Cleveland, Ohio; and daughter Sallie G. DeGolia, M.D. (Martin Bronk, M.D.) of Woodside and eight grandchildren.

Note:  In Memory of Dick DeGolia, a donation was sent to SPHSAA from the South Pasadena High School Alumni Poker Player's Society:  Lewis Ross, Dick Norton, Milton Reimers, Howard Clark, and Al Benton.  They also mention that Dick was student body president of Oneonta Elementary School, South Pasadena Jr. High School, and South Pasadena High School.