Longtime West Hollywood photographer Richard Settle passed away yesterday, July 19, 2023. Details surrounding his passing are not yet known. He battled colon cancer in 2022. He was 76. He died nine days before his 77th birthday on July 28th.
“Family: our beloved Richard Settle passed from this life into life eternal last evening, July 19th,” reads a post from the Hollywood United Methodist Church – Hollywood Campus Facebook page. “He is no longer in pain and is free from suffering.
A memorial service will be planned for the fall.”
The Hollywood United Methodist Church launched a GoFundMe account earlier this this month on July 12, 2023.
“Friends — our beloved Richard Settle is nearing his transition from this life into life eternal. He has been an integral part of our Hollywood UMC community for forty years, and in these final days, he needs our help.
As of this week, Richard is requiring 24-hour nursing care in his home. Hospice does provide some hours, as does the VA. However, there are still 18-20 hours a day that he has to cover privately and his funds are running out.
If you can help care for Richard by giving to this GoFundMe, please do so at whatever amount you can. And, please hold him close in your prayers.”
The GoFundMe campaign raised $13,000. It was disabled shortly after his passing.
Richard Settle was a Navy Veteran. He attended the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 11, 2022. He one of the original official West Hollywood photographers spanning decades of work for the City. He leaves behind a large collection of photographs that document West Hollywood’s early years. He covered several events for the City, including city council meetings and he was widely known for his knowledge of the City’s history.
City of West Hollywood Veteran’s Day Ceremony 2022. Photos:Joshua BarashHis friend James Ward Litz when he and Richard were West Hollywood Public Facilitates Board board members in the early 1984:
“I lost my West Hollywood BFF today,” wrote James Ward Litz. I met Richard way back in the pioneer days of our virginity in 1984, when the initial members of our Commissioners & Board Members were appointed. Dozens of interested residents, none of us had a clue of our duties, wandering around park areas. Richard and I bummed a couple of his non-filtered Camel cigarettes to calm our nerves. Nasty things!
Richard and I served on the Public Facilitates Board. Richard and I entered a Mustang convertible for our Board to ride in the Gay Pride Parade. First Board or Commission to do so.
We were attached at the hip for so, so many events. When my organization needed increased publicity and exposure, I was able to contract with Richard to cover our community involvement. We operated it as a well-rehearsed program. He got some amazingly shots of our leadership team.
Richard Settle became part of our family: always at our dining table for holidays and family events. We always enjoyed a time to enjoy a little cannabis. Lots of laughs and silliness!
I don’t know how I’m going to deal with his loss. Neeley Roberts and I moved from WeHo to Cathedral City Cove Neighbors in December, just 8 months ago. Last time I saw Richard was when I drove down for my move (Neeley moved down the next week). Since my arrival, I’ve had some health challenges that have kept me at home.
I’ve had a feeling of bliss & serenity since I saw this news. Makes me know that Richard I is at peace.
HAPPY TRAILS, PARDNER [sic]!”
Details of a memorial service will be updated when they become available.
Paulo, Thank you for your tribute to Richard. I met Richard at Artography Academy in N. Hollywood in 1976. Oh we had so much fun together. Me from Detroit – newly arrive in CA after traveling with a band cross country. We both took our photography schooling seriously – learned to light subjects, products, objects, buildings, etc. and we too smoked weed and laughed and laughed and laughed. My heart is full thinking of Richard and broken thinking he’d gone.
Richard was my dear friend and photo studio mate from 1980 till 1993. Richard assisted the great photographer George Hurrell during that time. It was his greatest joy to work with George and this should be included in his obit.
It was a pleasure to be a shipmate with Richard on the O’Callahan 1051. I didn’t know him well…but knew he was a friend on board. We are all getting to the twilight of our lives ..but this news is still unwelcomed. Hopefully his achievements in this life will always be remembered. Anchors Aweigh Shipmate.
I have known Richard my whole life. His father and my father were lifelong friends. Our families spent a lot of time together throughout the years that we still lived at home. More recently, we were in contact with each other again through Facebook and private messaging. We were reminiscent about old times and sent old family pictures back and forth to each other. He had a kind soul and I will miss him dearly. RIP my friend, Sue
Richard was an absolutely wonderful man. Soft spoken yet with a sharp wit – one has to listen carefully lest you miss his humor. I already miss him.
Sorry to hear of Richard’s death, served with him in the Navy onboard the USS O’callahan DE-1051, we were on the commissioning crew and Plankowner. We were also Radiomen. Fair winds my friend….