Jan. 20, 1949 – October 2, 2022
Richard “Rick” E. Sherman was born in Oceanside, and grew up in Vista, California. He attended Vista High School, competing in varsity golf and cross country. He was salutatorian of his class. He received a National Merit Scholarship to Claremont Men’s College.
Rick didn’t enjoy math until he took calculus: “I thought calculus was beautiful.”
He switched to a double major in math and physics, and transferred to the University of California San Diego. He graduated from UCSD with a B.A. and M.A. in Math, and took a job with Milliman and Robertson, an actuarial consulting firm in Pasadena. Rick attended Lake Avenue Congregational Church, where he made many life-long friends. He also met Jinny Imhof. They were married in December 1975.
Rick passed 10 actuarial exams to become a Fellow of the Casualty Actuary Society. With his boss, Jim Berquist, he won the Dorweiler Prize for the best professional paper written on a casualty actuarial topic that year.
Rick and Jinny moved to the Bay Area in 1978, where he worked for Fireman’s Fund, and then Coopers and Lybrand. Their son, Joshua, was born in 1980, and their daughter, Anna, in 1983. With Jinny, Rick was a founding member of Bay Marin (Christian) Community Church.
The family moved to Ashland, Oregon, in 1991, where Rick established his own consulting firm, Richard E. Sherman and Associates. Rick was a dedicated employer, training and mentoring several employees to excel in the field of actuarial services.
Rick was the author of three books: “Bible Code Bombshell,” “Buddha and Jesus (Could Solomon be the Missing Link?),” and “Wisdom 365 (Daily Buddha and Daily Solomon.”) He enjoyed the complexity of research and cultivated relationships with people who thought differently than he did, seeking to understand what their differences might teach him.
He also pursued many hobbies, including golf, tennis, swimming and listening to classical music.
Rick and Jinny enjoyed connecting with their community of cherished friends. They also traveled to various places, including New Zealand and Greece.
A celebration of life will be held for Rick at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at Ashland Christian Fellowship.
Rick is survived by his devoted wife, Jinny; their children, Josh (Carol) Sherman, and Anna Sherman; and two grandchildren; and by his brother, Don (Lauren), their children and grandchildren.
Instead of flowers, please consider giving to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, 3010 77th Ave. SE, Suite 101, Mercer Island, WA 98040; or to Mt. Hermon Christian Conference Center, 37 Conference Drive, Felton, California 95018, where the family spent many vacations.
Rick’s family and friends will miss his wisdom, thoughtfulness, generosity and quick wit.
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