Mary Ann Kalmbach Richter

Mary Ann Kalmbach Richter of San Diego passed away on Friday, April 25, at the age of 91.

Ann grew up in the very small town of Theon, Texas, where she proudly helped her father run his country store. Her excellent math skills were admired by the store’s customers every time she quickly totaled their purchases in her head. Her sharp intellect enabled her to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she excelled in academics, social activities and sports. She majored in sociology, was elected president of the Delta Zeta sorority in her senior year and captained her women’s basketball team to a state championship.

During her senior year, she was courted by a dashing young Navy sailor named Walt while he was home on leave. Walt had befriended Ann’s brother Bill Kalmbach while stationed in San Diego, and Bill encouraged Walt to meet his sister when he got back home. Walt and Ann were married in June 1955, and on their honeymoon they drove to San Diego to begin a new life together. When they arrived in San Diego, they had just enough money to pay for their first month’s apartment rent and buy a bag of groceries. They lived in San Diego for 70 wonderful years together.

When arriving in San Diego, Ann and Walt both went to work as quickly as they could find jobs.  Ann became a social worker while Walt initially took jobs as a mortician and a movie theater manager before becoming a police officer. Ann eventually earned a teaching certificate and spent many years teaching social science and gym at Taft Middle School. Walt followed Ann’s lead and became a high school counselor.

During summer breaks, Ann and Walt would take their two sons Brian and Brad on cross-country trips in their camper truck, staying in state and national parks along the way. There were regular visits with the extended Kalmbach-Richter family in Texas, with whom they stayed close throughout their lives. Coming from families with five siblings apiece, there were lots of cousins for their boys to enjoy!

After retiring from teaching, Ann obtained a real estate license, and Walt obtained his broker license shortly thereafter. Together they started a very successful R&R Realty which they ran for 25 years before finally retiring. Ann and Walt used their realty profits to travel the world, visiting more than 30 countries.  They were both avid players of tennis and played well into their 70s.

Walt passed away in February 2024. Ann and Walt are survived by their loving sons Brian and Brad and their spouses Martha and Dean, as well as a large extended family that misses their good humor, big hearts and love of life.