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Tag: Larry Fritz

The inspiring story behind how this San Juan High School alumnus found his career

Richard Deatherage drafting. // Image courtesy, Larry Fritz

By Larry Fritz–
Richard Deatherage, class of ’81, was an Air Force brat and a die-hard entrepreneur. His family took root in Citrus Heights in 1976 after his father retired. Richard had several small revenue producing ventures at the time, so San Juan High School was not one of his favorite subjects.

One day, San Juan Principal Charlie Berger caught Richard cutting one of his least favorite classes as he had done so many times before. It was Mr. James Theoboldt’s drafting class. Charlie gave Richard detention.

Mr. Theoboldt was aware of Richard’s situation and wanted to engage him. He knew that Richard was bored with remedial drafting exercises. So he offered Richard the chance to draft and design a real custom home plan during his time in detention. Richard jumped at the offer.

Drafting a complete set of plans for someone at Richard’s age is not easy. So Mr. Theoboldt spent some time to mentor Richard on the project. Richard recalls many occasions where the two of them would jump into Mr. Theoboldt’s pick-up truck and drive to a local construction site.

Mr. Theoboldt took Richard to construction sites at various stages of completion to help him visualize what he was attempting to draw. Richard completed the set of plans during his time in detention and they were accepted by the Sacramento County Planning Department. Richard had designed and drafted his first custom home at the age of 16. He loved it. There was no turning back.

For the remainder of his time at San Juan, Richard enrolled in the ROP program and interned with a local architect, Robert Schaffer & Associates. He spent half of his time in class and the other half drafting plans.

After graduating, Richard enrolled at Sierra College to become an architect. But he soon found a repeat of his San Juan experience. His classes were boring and most of what they were teaching he had already learned.

So Richard dropped out of college and went to work as a finish carpenter for John Mourier Construction. Richard enjoyed the hands-on experience, but did not lose his focus. With determination and finished sets of plans as work samples, he parlayed himself into an architectural drafting position in less than two years.

At the age of 20, Richard became the youngest Project Coordinator/Architectural Draftsman in the State of California. In the next five years, Richard was involved in drafting about 2,000 homes in 12 residential developments.

Then, in 1987, he started his own drafting service for developers throughout Northern California. Richard started drafting just before the computer age, drawing plans with a mechanical lead pencil on vellum paper. He liked doing it that way.

When computer aided drafting (CAD) systems came into being, he did not have any inkling to embrace them. In 2009, Richard drew his last set of plans, unable to compete with CAD systems.

Richard then reinvented himself. Starting from scratch, he strapped on his old tool belt and went back to work as a finish carpenter. But with his knowledge and experience, quickly worked his way up to construction superintendent. Today, Richard supervises the construction of large commercial buildings up and down the west coast.

Back to Mr. Theoboldt: Did he ever find out about Richard’s success? Oh yes.

For the first few years of his career, Richard made regular trips back to San Juan with his latest set of plans in hand, excited to show them to Mr. Theoboldt, who in turn would proudly show the plans to his students, then hang them up on the classroom wall for all to see.

On one of these San Juan trips to drop off his latest creation, Richard was looking for Mr. Theoboldt’s mailbox when a counselor noticed him. The counselor pulled Richard aside and informed him that Mr. Theoboldt had recently passed away.

At this point in my interview with Richard, we had to stop. He was momentarily unable to speak. To this day, Richard grieves for the loss of his mentor and friend, who so greatly helped to shape his life.

Richard has many more interesting stories. In 2008, his father encouraged him to write an autobiography. He did. And he titled it after his penchant for mechanical pencils. The “The Last of the Lead Holders” is available on Amazon.

This article was originally published in the April 2022 edition of the San Juan Alumni Association newsletter and has been re-printed with permission of the author, Larry Fritz. More information about the association can be found at www.sanjuanalumniassociation.org

April 17, 2022
Painting, wine, history to be featured at Rusch House event

A painting of the Rusch Home, by Deidre Trudeau.

Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights Historical Society will host an afternoon “Art in the Park” fundraising event at the Rusch Home this Saturday, featuring a painting class by an area artist, wine by the glass, and the first-time release of a new book on local history.

Larry Fritz, the historical society’s president, told The Sentinel the main activity will be a “paint ‘n sip” class led by Roseville artist Deidre Trudeau, where participants will receive materials and instruction to paint the historic Rusch Home. The class is $45 for one person, or $80 for two, with wine included in the cost of the class.

As of Wednesday, Fritz said there are still openings in the painting class, with registration available online through Eventbrite. Proceeds from the class will go towards renovation of the century-old Rusch Home.

Community members are also invited to drop by to tour the Rusch Home or bring an easel or sketch book for some creative painting on their own, even if not participating in the painting class. Wine will be available for $5 per glass at a wine bar, along with light refreshments.

Related: Hundreds attend History Day at historic Citrus Heights Rusch Home

According to an event flier, historical society members will also be on hand to answer questions and offer “tantalizing” facts about the Rusch Home and Citrus Heights.

A new book, “Citrus Heights: the first 20 years,” will also be on display during the event. Fritz said the book has been two years in the making and features photographs of Citrus Heights from 1997 to 2017, taken by Citrus Heights residents. Orders will be taken for anyone wishing to purchase a copy.

The local historical society was first formed in 1991 to preserve and promote the history of Citrus Heights, but after being dormant for several years it is now becoming more active. The organization was previously headed up by Jim Van Maren, who passed away in 2012.

The society began to take a more active role after the City Council voted to dissolve the Citrus Heights History & Arts Commission last October and replace it with a competitive grant program to help fund historic and arts-related projects in the city.

—
If you plan to go:

Art in the Park
Date: Oct. 20, 2018
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Place: Rusch Home
7301 Antelope Road.
Citrus Heights, CA

See event flier: click here

October 18, 2018
Hundreds attend History Day at historic Citrus Heights Rusch Home

Community members peruse through the Rusch Home during History Day, stopping to read display boards highlighting local history. // CH Sentinel

Stacey Hanks contributed to this story–
“A walk through time in Citrus Heights” was how visitors described Saturday’s History Day at the historic Rusch Home and Gardens. Surrounded by giant oaks and manicured gardens, the stately, 1915 Craftsman style home at 7301 Antelope Rd. has earned the title of being the “crown jewel” of the city.

Visitors entering the home on Saturday were greeted by longtime resident and former History and Arts Commissioner Chuck Engvall, who was recognized by the city last year for being one of the “Top 20” longest residents of Citrus Heights. Inside, members of the Citrus Heights Historical Society stood by to answer questions about the home and share about its previous owners and the history of the area.

“It’s really interesting to go back and see everything and connect with people,” said attendee Deeloris Fricker, who grew up in Citrus Heights and graduated from San Juan High School in the early 1960s. “I’d always been by the Rusch House, but I’ve never been in here before.”

Bequeathed to the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District by Fred and Julia Rusch, the single-story home was originally ordered from a Sears catalog and shipped by train in pieces after the prior house on the property burned in 1914, according to Larry Fritz, president of the local Historical Society. Conditions of the bequeathment required that Fred and Julia, a brother and sister who never married, would be allowed to remain at the home until their passing, which occurred in the 1970’s.

Examples and amenities representing Craftsman style architecture were evident everywhere inside the 1700-square-foot home — from its wrap-around porch, to the built-in sideboards and display cabinets, and a Murphy bed hinged at one end to store vertically against an inset wall. Although much of the interior was replaced with more modern furniture, the home’s bathroom featured all-original decor and a large claw-foot bathtub.

Photos and articles were also on display throughout the house, with each room focusing on a different aspect, designed to take visitors on a journey through the history of Citrus Heights.

One room featured various artifacts from the Brown and Mitchell farms, which each held 160-acre plots of land in the area. A giant yoke used on an oxen team was displayed on the floor, along with a metal scale for weighing crops at harvest time.

The room included a photo of native resident Keith Brown and his siblings standing next to earth moving equipment being used during the construction of Interstate 80 in the 1950’s. Brown, whose family farm was kitty-corner to the original Rusch property, and which a stretch of Interstate 80 now runs through, helped set up the display room and was also in attendance during Saturday’s event.

On the coffee table in the front room was a scrapbook from Roeley Giusti, a resident known for her meticulous record keeping, while other rooms featured professionally printed display signs with historical facts and photos, old San Juan High School year books, and a silent film about Citrus Heights produced in the 1960’s.

Fritz said the event helped reconnect residents after many years, highlighting an encounter on Saturday with longtime residents Ted Mitchell, now in his nineties, and Betty Leonard Bentzen, who both graduated from San Juan High School in the 1940s. He said the pair had not seen each other since high school and recalled attending a dance together.

Related: Citrus Heights’ longest living resident reflects on history of city

The four-hour event was estimated to bring between 250 to 300 visitors, many of whom said they had never been inside the rarely-open home. Citrus Heights Mayor Steve Miller was among those in attendance, telling The Sentinel that he helped install a roof on the Rusch home about 30 years ago while he worked for Sacramento County.

He said the roof, along with other aspects like drooping interior paint, is now due for some long-overdue repairs.

The Historical Society was first formed in 1991 to preserve and promote the history of Citrus Heights, but after being dormant for several years the group made a comeback with History Day, its first standalone event. Through a recent partnership with the parks district, the society has been asked to open the Rusch Home to the public four times per year. Parks District Administrator Dave Mitchell said he’s hopeful the partnership will help bring some much-needed attention to the home.

Past events held at the Rusch Home have included Sunday Funday, Battle of the Bands, wine tasting events and various other community gatherings. Use of the house is currently available for event rentals including weddings and family reunions.

Related: City recognizes ‘Top 20’ longest residents of Citrus Heights

Saturday’s event was aided by numerous volunteer hours and a $750 grant from the city to cover the cost of printing about 15 display signs with historical facts and photos, according to Fritz.

Asked about his organization’s future plans, Fritz said the historical society will continue to be active in preserving and promoting local history. He said the group will open the Rusch Home again during Sunday Funday, as well as several other times this year, and will also be also be seeking funding to help preserve the home and replace some of the modern features and furniture with items that are more historically appropriate.

The society also plans to continue collecting historical information and creating new displays, so that return visitors to the Rusch Home will find something new each visit.

Those interested in learning more about the Citrus Heights Historical Society can visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CHHistorialSociety.

April 5, 2018
‘History Day’ at Rusch Home to showcase early days of Citrus Heights

Fred and Julia Rusch, who built the Rusch Home. // Image courtesy: Citrus Heights Historical Society

Sentinel staff report–
Interested in learning more about local history or getting a free tour of the 102-year-old Rusch Home? You may want to mark your calendar for History Day at the Rusch Home, an event hosted by the Citrus Heights Historical Society to showcase local history.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, at the historic Rusch Home, located at 7301 Antelope Rd. About a dozen different displays of the early days of Citrus Heights will be available for viewing, along with a black and white movie shot by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce in the 1960s, according to Larry Fritz, the local historical society’s president.

“History Day is an opportunity for visitors to see the inside of the house that many have driven or walked past for years without knowing what it is,” said Historical Society Board Member Ray Oliver in a news release about the event.

The release also said attendees will be invited to browse through the seldom-open home to see photos and artifacts of local farms, schools, businesses, emergency services and public works. Historical Society members will be on hand to give tours and answer questions.

The Rusch Home was built by Fred and Julia Rusch in 1916, who constructed the home after the prior house on the property burned. According to the Society, the brother-and-sister pair ordered the Craftsman-style home from a Sears and Roebuck catalog and had it shipped in pieces by railroad.

The two lived in the home until bequeathing it to the Sunrise Recreation and Park District.

Related: Citrus Heights’ longest living resident reflects on history of city

Fritz said the Historical Society was first formed in 1991 to preserve and promote the history of Citrus Heights, but after being dormant for several years it is making a comeback with its first standalone event. The organization was previously headed up by Jim Van Maren, who passed away in 2012.

The Society began to take a more active role after the city council voted to dissolve the Citrus Heights History & Arts Commission last October and replace it with a competitive grant program to help fund historic and arts-related projects in the city. According to Fritz, the upcoming History Day is funded with the first grant awarded under the city’s new program.

—
If you plan to go

History Day
WHEN: March 31, 2018
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Rusch Home
7301 Antelope Rd.
Citrus Heights

March 11, 2018
Q&A: Was Citrus Heights really the first city to incorporate since 1963?

File photo, Citrus Heights city hall. // CH Sentinel

Sentinel staff report–
It’s a local “fact” that’s made the rounds, but it actually isn’t true. It even made it to the #1 spot on the city’s “Top 20 Facts About Citrus Heights” released earlier this year.

“At incorporation, Citrus Heights was the first city to incorporate in the state since 1963,” reads the first item on the Top 20 facts listed on the city’s website, as of Oct. 6th. Thanks to several comments from our readers and some subsequent fact-checking, The Sentinel found that in fact there were 88 cities that incorporated in California from 1963 up to 1997, when Citrus Heights officially incorporated as a city.

Asked how the incorrect date made its way onto the city’s “Top 20” facts, city staff member Devon Rodriguez, who presented the facts to the city council earlier this year, said the date had come from the city’s volunteer archivist, Teena Stern.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Stern said she had seen the 1963 date mentioned “a number of times” in material she helped archive for the city. “It’s a fact that’s been repeated many times throughout the years and no one thought to check it, including myself,” she said.

Citrus Heights History and Arts Commissioner Larry Fritz said he’d also heard the 1963 date referenced in the past and told The Sentinel “it sounds like one of those things where someone made an inaccurate statement at some point and it just proliferated.”

Although the date is wrong, the statement was likely intended to point out that Citrus Heights was the first city to incorporate in Sacramento County since 1946, when Folsom became a city.

The statement, although incorrect, also reflects the fact that cityhood efforts have become more rare across California in recent years, with Citrus Heights being one of just 12 cities that have incorporated in the past two decades. By comparison, during the 80’s alone, a total of 34 cities incorporated in the Golden State, according to the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions.

Given the fierce legal resistance Sacramento County put up against the effort to incorporate, Citrus Heights’ eventual success is credited with paving the way for two other cityhood efforts in Sacramento County. Elk Grove became a city in the year 2000 and Rancho Cordova incorporated in 2003.

Related article: Mayor reflects on fight to make Citrus Heights a city

October 8, 2017
What’s going on with that run-down home at Old Auburn and Mariposa Ave?

A home at 7716 Old Auburn Rd. has been the scene of ‘a litany of code violations,’ according to Citrus Heights Police. // CH Sentinel

Neighbors and drivers passing by the intersection of Mariposa Avenue and Old Auburn Road in Citrus Heights know the site all too well. An overgrown yard, a two-story home that’s falling apart, people apparently living out of vans in the yard, and most recently: boarded up windows.

So what’s going on?

Citrus Heights Police Sgt. Jason Baldwin said the home at 7716 Old Auburn Rd. has been the site of “a litany of code violations” for several years, with weeds, vehicles, trash, and homeless camps being cited in the past. But following an inspection of the property earlier this year, Baldwin said the owner passed away inside the home.

The man’s name has not been released due to him having no next of kin, according to Baldwin. A phone call to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office also found no information could be released — including a name, date of death, or cause of death — as necessary notification of next of kin had not been made as of July 7.

Neighbors and others contacted by The Sentinel identified the man as James Wheeler, who was described by those who knew him as a bit reclusive and eccentric. A woman who was cleaning up the property on Saturday told The Sentinel that Wheeler had died in March, but was reluctant to answer any other questions for this story.

Carrie Burchett, who lives nearby the Wheeler home, said she had known James since he was five years old. She said he was an only child and had married in his old age, but his wife “up and died” about a year ago.

Burchett, 93, shared several memories of Wheeler, describing him as one who kept to himself but also helped others. She said he ran a yard maintenance business and would mow her lawn on a regular basis.

“He was a good person and never did anything wrong,” she said. “He was always helping people if he could.”

Asked about the history of the home, Citrus Heights History and Arts Commissioner Larry Fritz said he had met Wheeler on at least one occasion and was told that his father had constructed the home in 1940. County property records also list 1940 as the “effective year” for the home being built and show the three-bed-one-bath home sits on a sizeable lot of nearly three acres.

Fritz said Wheeler is believed to have graduated from San Juan High School in 1959; his parents both graduated from the same high school 30 years prior in 1929. A photo of Wheeler’s parents, Anna and James, is also reportedly in the San Juan museum, taken during their 50th high school class reunion.

Several others who knew Wheeler said he was a “walking history book” and was knowledgeable about Citrus Heights history. He is believed to have been in his seventies when he died.

The future of the old home is unknown.

According to Sgt. Baldwin, due to building violations, liens, and unpaid taxes, the county recently took possession of the property. The home was also boarded up by authorities due to the building violations, Baldwin said.

As of Friday, the county assessors office was not able to confirm a transfer in ownership had occurred, but probate issues could be causing a delay in transfers being recorded.

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July 9, 2017
Arts, planning commissioners appointed; some vacancies left

Two board positions remain unfilled after Citrus Heights city council members voted to fill 11 of 13 vacancies on several City boards and commissions during last week’s council meeting.

Civic Center direction sign, stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

Vacancies for the positions were created after 13 terms expired at the end of 2014 on the City’s Construction Appeals Board, Planning Commission and History & Arts Commission, with new appointees serving terms ranging from two to four years in length.

A lack of applicants for the City’s Construction Appeals Board left council members with only one choice to pick, while selections for the two other commissions were a bit more competitive.

Planning Commission:
City council members re-appointed Al Fox, Leah Cox, Trish Dawson and Michael Lagomarsino to the Planning Commission, as well as unanimously ratifying council member Jeanie Bruins’ nomination of newcomer Russell Blair to take the fifth open spot on the commission. The remaining three applicants — Simon Levison, Matthew Gross and Matt Hedges — did not receive enough votes to serve another term.

The seven-member Planning Commission meets twice a month and hears land-use related projects and “reviews proposed ordinances and other issues relating to the implementation of the City’s General Plan,” according to the City’s website. The commission also makes recommendations to the city council, as it did with the city hall relocation proposal.

History & Arts Commission:
Bob Gerould, Jessica Mang and Jackie Robinson were all unanimously ratified by city council members to serve four-year terms on the seven-member History and Arts Commission, with a majority also selecting Larry Fritz and Evie Turner to serve two-year terms. The meeting agenda showed Levison also applied for this position, but did not receive any votes from council members.

The History and Arts Commission works to promote cultural arts in Citrus Heights as well as assisting “in the preservation and enhancement of historical buildings and artifacts.”

<<See prior story here: Council to appoint 13 board positions in January>>

Construction Appeals Board:
The council unanimously appointed Franklin Tilley to the Construction Appeals Board, with City Clerk Amy Van telling the council that although there were three open positions, Tilley’s application was the only one received. She said the City would continue receiving applications to fill the spots, and council member Miller requested staff look into the possibility of working with other cities to create a regional appeals board, citing the board’s infrequent meetings and the past difficulty the City has had in finding appointments.

The five-member Construction Board of Appeals meets on an “as-needed” basis to hear complaints from those aggrieved by a decision of the City’s chief building official, and “assists in determining suitability of materials and methods of construction, as well as interpreting technical codes.” Applicants for the board must be “qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.”

An application form for the Construction Board of Appeals is available here: http://www.citrusheights.net/DocumentCenter/View/72

January 15, 2015