Richard Michael Obituary

Richard Lee Michael, 71 of Sisquoc, California passed away on May 3, 2023. Richard, known as Rick to his family, friends and acquaintances, was born in Santa Maria, California on August 21, 1951 to parents Lawrence and Claudia Michael. Rick attended Blochman Elementary in Sisquoc and graduated from Ernest Righetti High School in Orcutt. After graduating high school he married his high school sweetheart Kandi Michael of Santa Maria, California. The couple moved across the street from the Michael Ranch and later built a home on the ranch near the foundation of the original Blochman School. Rick enjoyed hunting and fishing but most of all he loved being horseback on the Michael Ranch and cowboying for the neighboring Sisquoc Ranch. He was hands on in helping his daughters with their 4-H and FFA sheep, pig and beef projects. He also loved being involved and helping his youngest daughter with her rodeo competitions. Rick took over managing the Michael Ranch in 1986 after his father retired. He was a skilled cattleman and maneuvered the ups and down of the industry with instinct and wisdom. He was awarded Livestock Person of the Year by the Santa Barbara County Cattlemen's Association in 2019. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Central Coast Hospice staff Irene, Jennifer and Melissa for all their help and guidance. Rick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kandi Michael. He is also survived by his daughters Lori Michael Anderson and her husband Thomas Anderson of Nipomo, CA and Dawn Marie Pearce and her husband Jake Pearce of Sisquoc, CA and grand children Dylan Michael Anderson of Nipomo, CA and Sage Leigh Pearce of Sisquoc, CA. A memorial celebration of Rick's life will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 11:00 a. m. at Dudley Hoffman Mortuary in Santa Maria followed by burial at Santa Maria Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at Ontiveros Ranch, 6525 Dominion Rd. , Santa Maria, CA.