Richard Louis Saylor

Richard Louis Saylor

February 22, 1941 – April 28, 2026

Richard Saylor, 85, of Monterey, passed away peacefully shortly after midnight on the night of April 27.

Richard’s father Louis was a doctor in Patton’s Third Army during WWII. Thus, a self-proclaimed “army brat,” Richard grew up all over the world, eventually returning to his birthplace of California. After graduating from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming an architect. A colleague introduced him to his wife, Martha, also an architect, and they were married in 1980. Richard practiced architecture in many places, including Saudi Arabia, where he met many lifelong friends. He and Martha eventually returned to Monterey to start a business together and build their dream home, where they spent the rest of their lives.

In addition to architecture, Richard had many passions and hobbies. He loved restoring classic British cars, and was a member of the Morgan Sports Car Club of Nor-Cal. He also put his skills to work to restore a WWII L-5 observation plane, which he flew with his private pilot’s license. He was a member of the Carmel Valley Gem and Mineral Society, where he served as the bulletin editor. He learned silversmithing and lapidary work and made his own jewlery; he also displayed his ammonite collection every year at the Gem Show. He was a member of the Sierra Club, where he played concertina and pennywhistle at the club sing-alongs. He also donated his skills with architecture and construction to the Berkeley Tuolumne Family Camp, going to the annual “work weekend” to repair and build structures for the camp for many years, before the Rim Fire in 2013. He loved cooking and listening to classical music.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Cecilia Saylor, and his wife, Martha Crow Saylor. He is survived by his son, Basil, and many beloved cousins and friends.

A public viewing will be held at Mission Mortuary in Monterey on Wednesday, May 13th from 10am-12pm. Burial will follow after noon, with a small graveside ceremony, at Monterey City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sierra Club or the Classical California KDFC public radio station.