Richard Sargent Obituary

Richard (Dick) John Sargent passed away peacefully in Laguna Niguel on October 5, 2023, at the age of 89. He was born in New York City on March 25th, 1934, and moved to Long Beach, CA at 12 years old, where he graduated from Jordon High School before proudly serving in the Army in one of the earliest desegregated units after WWII. Dick studied Political Science at San Jose State University, where he met his life-long friend and colleague Peter Ueberroth. Later he and Peter formed a travel company together that would become the second-largest travel agency in the US and continued to collaborate throughout their careers. As a marketing executive for over 60 years, Dick made a significant impact in the fields of travel and sports through his leadership in such organizations as the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee (LAOOC), Long Beach Centennial, America's Cup, City of Los Angeles-World Cup 1994, Hawaiian Airlines, and Contrarian Group, to name a few.
Dick had three great loves in life, sailing, making deals, and his family. His greatest memory of the sea was his experience sailing half-way around the world with 5 mates in a 46-foot ketch from Tahiti to New York, a life defining adventure. Apart from sailing, there was no greater joy for Dick than making a good deal. Peter Ueberroth once said of Dick, "you could give him a dollar, and he'd turn it into a hundred." That is exactly what he did, in multiples, as VP of Operations under Ueberroth for the 1984 LAOOC, producing one of the most successful Olympics in modern history. Dick's proudest moment on the LAOOC was his deal with Greece to bring the over the Olympic flame. Like Hermes of myth, he deftly negotiated right up to the eleventh hour, managing in the nick of time to fly the flame to New York to kick off the largest and longest torch relay in Olympic history. Dick's greatest love of all were his wife and kids. He gave us the world and adored sharing his passion for adventure with us through many vacations, events, amazing experiences, and the best spaghetti sauce you ever tasted.
Dick is survived by Pat, his soulmate and wife of 60 years, and two beloved children, Tony and Michelle. His friends and loved ones remember him for his creative mind, maverick flair, adventurous spirit, humor, and generosity. He now sails on the biggest ocean of them all, and we will miss him dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 18th, from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org).