Richard Robert Bartol Jr.

Richard Robert Bartol Jr., formerly of San Francisco, California, was born February 1st, 1963 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and died on June 1, 2025 at San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, California. Richard was 62 years old. He was the son of Richard (Dick) Bartol Sr. and Nancy (Lindquist) Bartol, and the middle child of three - his older brother David and younger sister Jody.

He first lived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin across from Jackson Elementary School. In high school, he was heavily into art classes and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an art history degree. He then moved to southern California where he found his way to the Toshiba Corporation working in Finance for many years before moving to San Francisco, California in 2010 where he started RR Bartol Bookkeeping.

In southern California, Richard lived in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo where he developed a unique circle of friends to enjoy life, travel, and continue his love of art with. One of his close friends wrote of Richard that, “He had a knack for photographing the unassuming places he traveled around California.” He was a beautiful soul, unique, creative, and a blast to have fun with.

In 1997, Richard was part of a crew that sailed in the 2,200 mile Transpac - Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles, California to Hawaii on a boat named Survivor. And survive they did, as all of the crew members were HIV positive AIDS survivors. As a hurricane bore down on the race, their boat got damaged, nearly capsizing several times—and yet they proudly crossed that finish line. The adventure is documented in an independent film titled Rock the Boat and shows Richard’s wit shining through.

After receiving a disability diagnosis in 2016, and closing his bookkeeping business, Richard devoted his time to helping his friends in San Francisco and being an amazing tour guide to his family when they visited. He loved showing off the many fine, unique restaurants that San Francisco offers as well as the parks, and public places to enjoy. Whether it was the trolleys, subways, or an Uber ride, Richard knew how to get around the city of San Francisco. Richard’s friends overwhelmingly describe him as being kind, generous, a quiet observer, and listener. He could also be full of life, alive, and flamboyant, giving him a platform to showcase his interest in vintage fashion; he was working on remaking a 19th century coat before he unexpectedly passed away.

He developed a love of camping while growing up, as the family spent countless hours camping with extended family and friends in northern Wisconsin. Richard rediscovered his joy and love for camping and involved his friends on trips to Yosemite National Park to enjoy that special place when it was less crowded and the sights and sounds could be enjoyed to their fullest. He would take short camping trips into the high country of Yosemite enjoying the raw beauty and cool mountain air of Tuolumne Meadows. Richard had gone camping just weeks before his passing.

The family will have a celebration of life on Friday, July 4th at the family's beloved farm in Traunik, Michigan and at the National AIDS Memorial Grove, Circle of Friends, in San Francisco on October 11th. We request that donations be made to the National AIDS Memorial in Richard’s name. The Trident Society of Walnut Creek, California is assisting the Bartol family with arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the family at Richard Bartol Obituary - Walnut Creek, CA.