Reuven (aka Richard) Elias Epstein

Reuven (aka Richard) Elias Epstein, 85, was born on January 16, 1938 and passed from this world into the next at his home in Galt on April 6, 2023 with his wife by his side.

Many who knew Reuven would describe him as a genuinely good person. He was honest, sometimes blunt, conscientious, hardworking, kind and generous. He spent many years as an active member of Galt Lions helping with whatever needed to be done: selling fireworks to raise funds, building a ramp so a person with limited mobility could more easily reach his or her home and many other community projects. He was involved in the Galt Character Coalition, the Galt Boys and Girls Club, and Galt Helping Network, when they existed. Reuven was self-employed at Uniquity, a mail-order company with the motto, “helping people help people”. He did light manufacturing and retailing of numerous tools and materials used by therapists working with victims of child abuse and other trauma as well as the victims themselves.

Reuven's unique sense of humor left some people chuckling, others shaking their heads, and sometimes embarrassed his wife. He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters who thought his jokes were hilarious. Reuven could fix anything, sometimes jury-rigging with parts meant for another purpose. If something was broken his granddaughters would say, “No problem, Papa will fix it”. This talent led him to be a resource for family, friends, and even a couple of businesses as well as the Lions.

Reuven is survived by his wife Carol Willmett, son Francisco Sanchez, granddaughters Maya and Elly Sanchez, all of Galt, his only sister Shelly Silberberg (Jerry) and nephew Glenn of Pasadena. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Cindy Willmett and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in California, Texas and Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Grace Epstein and parents-in-law Alvin and Judy Willmett. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 21, 2023, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at El Rodeo restaurant in Galt located at 905 “C” Street, which is owned by the Jorge Duenas family who are like family to Reuven and Carol.