Richard Hicks Obituary

Richard Hicks passed away peacefully on Friday, December 23, 2011 at the age of 69. He was born in Hanford on August 8, 1942 to James and Evelynne Hicks, lived most of his life in Fresno, and made a home in Cambodia in the last decade of his life.

Richard attended Fresno High School, Fresno State University, and the University of California at San Diego. His love of books and language naturally led him to become a teacher, a profession he carried out with a unique passion and a true connection to each and every one of his students. He taught college English and English as a Second Language, both in Fresno and abroad, and he inspired all of his children to become teachers in one form or another.

He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend who inspired his loved ones through his interests in education, literature, philosophy, and the arts, as well as his spirit of independence, creativity, and selflessness. During his lifetime, Richard created countless paintings, drawings, poems, essays, plays, and sculptures that brought pleasure and stimulated active conversation.

Richard’s art, especially his colorful paintings, inspired those who were close to him to explore creativity on many levels. He constantly encouraged his children and grandchildren to be themselves and to think independently, regardless of conventions and norms. Richard lived life on his terms, and he encouraged his family to do the same.

In 2002, Richard moved to Cambodia with his wife and founded the Association for Knowledge Development (AKD) school in a village near Battambang. He directed the school and taught English there until his death. The school’s primary focus is to provide a free and sustainable education with world-class standards to underserved Cambodian children, youth, and adults. Richard’s work with the school inspired his children to establish a charitable non-profit to support AKD and other schools like it in the world.

Richard is survived by his wife, Boeun Sum Hicks, his nine children and their spouses/significant others: Steven Hicks (David), Pamela Spycher (Thierry), Juliet Prosser (Mike), Chuck Oun (Sary), Rebecca Campbell (Jay), Samara Donald (Alan), Thea Fabian (Eduardo), Amelia Hicks (Clarence), and Hope-Angela Holden (Mark); twelve grandchildren: Joshua, Manon, Dakota, Caitlin, Aubrey, Jaidyn, Inés, Emerson, Danika, Faith, Iain, and Ailee; mother Evelynne Hicks and siblings Janis Patch, Rodney Hicks, and Meredith Hicks; and countless nieces and nephews.

A teacher and artist all his life, Richard would want us to consider the short time we had with him as a call to seize opportunities to create loving relationships with our fellow human beings and make positive changes in the world. He often shared his core belief that God lives within each person and in the eternal love of Jesus Christ. He loved people of all faiths and walks of life. We know that he is still with us and will watch over us as we continue to grow in our individual and collective journeys.

A graveside service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on December 30 at 10:00 am. A Celebration of Richard’s Life will follow at the First Congregational Church of Fresno on the corner of Van Ness and Yale at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Classrooms Without Borders, 538 South Campus Way, Davis, CA 95616, www.classroomswithoutborders.com.