RICHARD ELBRECHT LED UNIT AT STATE CONSUMERS AGENCY by Robert D. Davila (Sacramento Bee, June 1, 2008)
He was a lawyer who photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey.
Richard A. Elbrecht expressed his concern for others with a firm grasp of the law, a passion for preserving cultural treasures and tireless dedication.
He championed the rights of consumers and small businesses as a lawyer, including 27 years heading the legal services unit at the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Although officially retired in 2003, he continued working as a state annuitant to update a handbook for small-claims court judges and consumer advocates.
He spent two decades with his wife photographing historic Armenian churches and cathedrals in eastern Turkey. During nine trips, they captured images of the rich heritage of a nation nearly destroyed by 20th-century genocide. In December, the couple agreed to donate the collection of 157 prints to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno.
Mr. Elbrecht was in Fresno to meet with CSU officials about creating a Web page for the project when he died Monday of heart arrhythmia at his hotel, said his wife, Anne. He was 74.
"This collection is an invaluable gift," said Armenian studies lecturer Barlow Der Mugrdechian at CSU, Fresno. "It will make the program the foremost archive of these historic churches anywhere in the world and accessible to everyone on the Internet."
Mr. Elbrecht devoted his life to helping others. He spent six years as a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society in San Jose and became deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center in Boston in 1970. He wrote manuals on federal consumer law and helped draft the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
He returned after two years to private practice in California and was recruited in 1976 to create and lead the legal services unit of the state Consumer Affairs Department. He drafted bills, testified at administrative hearings, worked on litigation and promoted public education of consumer protections. He put in long hours, often editing legal memos at home past midnight.
"He was always upbeat and praising people for their work," staff attorney Albert Balingit said. "He mentored and gave us so much confidence. He had a big heart for helping the little guy."
Richard Allen Elbrecht was born in 1933 to a probate lawyer and a homemaker in Cleveland. He grew up with a younger sister in Lyndhurst, Ohio, where their father was mayor for 25 years.
He was a sports photographer for the campus newspaper at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1955. He served two years in the Navy, earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1960 and moved to San Jose. He spent six years in private practice before joining the Legal Aid Society.
A 22-year marriage ended in divorce. He married Anne Elbrecht in 1983.
During a vacation trip to Turkey in 1987, Mr. Elbrecht and his wife learned many Armenian churches had been abandoned since the 1915 genocide. The couple began a mission to document the ancient religious monuments, traveling back roads without guides to photograph churches built as early as the 7th century.
The images were widely exhibited at Armenian churches in California and during international conferences of scholars on historic Armenia at UCLA.
"Richard was an extroverted, super-high-energy person," Anne Elbrecht said. "He wanted to start back into photography, and this was a project we decided to do. It was a way to help others."
Born: Aug. 10, 1933
Died: May 26, 2008
Remembered for: Created and served 27 years as head of the legal services unit at the state Department of Consumer Affairs; photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey and donated collection to California State University, Fresno
Survived by: Wife, Anne, of Davis; sons, Brian, of Sacramento, and Steven, of Long Beach; and sister, Marilyn Zimmann, of Salem, Ohio
Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1066 26th St., Sacramento; luncheon to follow
Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, 5245 N. Backer Ave., M/S PB4, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.
He was a lawyer who photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey.
Richard A. Elbrecht expressed his concern for others with a firm grasp of the law, a passion for preserving cultural treasures and tireless dedication.
He championed the rights of consumers and small businesses as a lawyer, including 27 years heading the legal services unit at the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Although officially retired in 2003, he continued working as a state annuitant to update a handbook for small-claims court judges and consumer advocates.
He spent two decades with his wife photographing historic Armenian churches and cathedrals in eastern Turkey. During nine trips, they captured images of the rich heritage of a nation nearly destroyed by 20th-century genocide. In December, the couple agreed to donate the collection of 157 prints to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno.
Mr. Elbrecht was in Fresno to meet with CSU officials about creating a Web page for the project when he died Monday of heart arrhythmia at his hotel, said his wife, Anne. He was 74.
"This collection is an invaluable gift," said Armenian studies lecturer Barlow Der Mugrdechian at CSU, Fresno. "It will make the program the foremost archive of these historic churches anywhere in the world and accessible to everyone on the Internet."
Mr. Elbrecht devoted his life to helping others. He spent six years as a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society in San Jose and became deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center in Boston in 1970. He wrote manuals on federal consumer law and helped draft the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
He returned after two years to private practice in California and was recruited in 1976 to create and lead the legal services unit of the state Consumer Affairs Department. He drafted bills, testified at administrative hearings, worked on litigation and promoted public education of consumer protections. He put in long hours, often editing legal memos at home past midnight.
"He was always upbeat and praising people for their work," staff attorney Albert Balingit said. "He mentored and gave us so much confidence. He had a big heart for helping the little guy."
Richard Allen Elbrecht was born in 1933 to a probate lawyer and a homemaker in Cleveland. He grew up with a younger sister in Lyndhurst, Ohio, where their father was mayor for 25 years.
He was a sports photographer for the campus newspaper at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1955. He served two years in the Navy, earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1960 and moved to San Jose. He spent six years in private practice before joining the Legal Aid Society.
A 22-year marriage ended in divorce. He married Anne Elbrecht in 1983.
During a vacation trip to Turkey in 1987, Mr. Elbrecht and his wife learned many Armenian churches had been abandoned since the 1915 genocide. The couple began a mission to document the ancient religious monuments, traveling back roads without guides to photograph churches built as early as the 7th century.
The images were widely exhibited at Armenian churches in California and during international conferences of scholars on historic Armenia at UCLA.
"Richard was an extroverted, super-high-energy person," Anne Elbrecht said. "He wanted to start back into photography, and this was a project we decided to do. It was a way to help others."
Born: Aug. 10, 1933
Died: May 26, 2008
Remembered for: Created and served 27 years as head of the legal services unit at the state Department of Consumer Affairs; photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey and donated collection to California State University, Fresno
Survived by: Wife, Anne, of Davis; sons, Brian, of Sacramento, and Steven, of Long Beach; and sister, Marilyn Zimmann, of Salem, Ohio
Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1066 26th St., Sacramento; luncheon to follow
Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, 5245 N. Backer Ave., M/S PB4, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.
RICHARD ELBRECHT LED UNIT AT STATE CONSUMERS AGENCY by Robert D. Davila (Sacramento Bee, June 1, 2008)
He was a lawyer who photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey.
Richard A. Elbrecht expressed his concern for others with a firm grasp of the law, a passion for preserving cultural treasures and tireless dedication.
He championed the rights of consumers and small businesses as a lawyer, including 27 years heading the legal services unit at the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Although officially retired in 2003, he continued working as a state annuitant to update a handbook for small-claims court judges and consumer advocates.
He spent two decades with his wife photographing historic Armenian churches and cathedrals in eastern Turkey. During nine trips, they captured images of the rich heritage of a nation nearly destroyed by 20th-century genocide. In December, the couple agreed to donate the collection of 157 prints to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno.
Mr. Elbrecht was in Fresno to meet with CSU officials about creating a Web page for the project when he died Monday of heart arrhythmia at his hotel, said his wife, Anne. He was 74.
"This collection is an invaluable gift," said Armenian studies lecturer Barlow Der Mugrdechian at CSU, Fresno. "It will make the program the foremost archive of these historic churches anywhere in the world and accessible to everyone on the Internet."
Mr. Elbrecht devoted his life to helping others. He spent six years as a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society in San Jose and became deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center in Boston in 1970. He wrote manuals on federal consumer law and helped draft the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
He returned after two years to private practice in California and was recruited in 1976 to create and lead the legal services unit of the state Consumer Affairs Department. He drafted bills, testified at administrative hearings, worked on litigation and promoted public education of consumer protections. He put in long hours, often editing legal memos at home past midnight.
"He was always upbeat and praising people for their work," staff attorney Albert Balingit said. "He mentored and gave us so much confidence. He had a big heart for helping the little guy."
Richard Allen Elbrecht was born in 1933 to a probate lawyer and a homemaker in Cleveland. He grew up with a younger sister in Lyndhurst, Ohio, where their father was mayor for 25 years.
He was a sports photographer for the campus newspaper at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1955. He served two years in the Navy, earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1960 and moved to San Jose. He spent six years in private practice before joining the Legal Aid Society.
A 22-year marriage ended in divorce. He married Anne Elbrecht in 1983.
During a vacation trip to Turkey in 1987, Mr. Elbrecht and his wife learned many Armenian churches had been abandoned since the 1915 genocide. The couple began a mission to document the ancient religious monuments, traveling back roads without guides to photograph churches built as early as the 7th century.
The images were widely exhibited at Armenian churches in California and during international conferences of scholars on historic Armenia at UCLA.
"Richard was an extroverted, super-high-energy person," Anne Elbrecht said. "He wanted to start back into photography, and this was a project we decided to do. It was a way to help others."
Born: Aug. 10, 1933
Died: May 26, 2008
Remembered for: Created and served 27 years as head of the legal services unit at the state Department of Consumer Affairs; photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey and donated collection to California State University, Fresno
Survived by: Wife, Anne, of Davis; sons, Brian, of Sacramento, and Steven, of Long Beach; and sister, Marilyn Zimmann, of Salem, Ohio
Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1066 26th St., Sacramento; luncheon to follow
Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, 5245 N. Backer Ave., M/S PB4, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.
He was a lawyer who photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey.
Richard A. Elbrecht expressed his concern for others with a firm grasp of the law, a passion for preserving cultural treasures and tireless dedication.
He championed the rights of consumers and small businesses as a lawyer, including 27 years heading the legal services unit at the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Although officially retired in 2003, he continued working as a state annuitant to update a handbook for small-claims court judges and consumer advocates.
He spent two decades with his wife photographing historic Armenian churches and cathedrals in eastern Turkey. During nine trips, they captured images of the rich heritage of a nation nearly destroyed by 20th-century genocide. In December, the couple agreed to donate the collection of 157 prints to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno.
Mr. Elbrecht was in Fresno to meet with CSU officials about creating a Web page for the project when he died Monday of heart arrhythmia at his hotel, said his wife, Anne. He was 74.
"This collection is an invaluable gift," said Armenian studies lecturer Barlow Der Mugrdechian at CSU, Fresno. "It will make the program the foremost archive of these historic churches anywhere in the world and accessible to everyone on the Internet."
Mr. Elbrecht devoted his life to helping others. He spent six years as a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society in San Jose and became deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center in Boston in 1970. He wrote manuals on federal consumer law and helped draft the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
He returned after two years to private practice in California and was recruited in 1976 to create and lead the legal services unit of the state Consumer Affairs Department. He drafted bills, testified at administrative hearings, worked on litigation and promoted public education of consumer protections. He put in long hours, often editing legal memos at home past midnight.
"He was always upbeat and praising people for their work," staff attorney Albert Balingit said. "He mentored and gave us so much confidence. He had a big heart for helping the little guy."
Richard Allen Elbrecht was born in 1933 to a probate lawyer and a homemaker in Cleveland. He grew up with a younger sister in Lyndhurst, Ohio, where their father was mayor for 25 years.
He was a sports photographer for the campus newspaper at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1955. He served two years in the Navy, earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1960 and moved to San Jose. He spent six years in private practice before joining the Legal Aid Society.
A 22-year marriage ended in divorce. He married Anne Elbrecht in 1983.
During a vacation trip to Turkey in 1987, Mr. Elbrecht and his wife learned many Armenian churches had been abandoned since the 1915 genocide. The couple began a mission to document the ancient religious monuments, traveling back roads without guides to photograph churches built as early as the 7th century.
The images were widely exhibited at Armenian churches in California and during international conferences of scholars on historic Armenia at UCLA.
"Richard was an extroverted, super-high-energy person," Anne Elbrecht said. "He wanted to start back into photography, and this was a project we decided to do. It was a way to help others."
Born: Aug. 10, 1933
Died: May 26, 2008
Remembered for: Created and served 27 years as head of the legal services unit at the state Department of Consumer Affairs; photographed historic Armenian churches in Turkey and donated collection to California State University, Fresno
Survived by: Wife, Anne, of Davis; sons, Brian, of Sacramento, and Steven, of Long Beach; and sister, Marilyn Zimmann, of Salem, Ohio
Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1066 26th St., Sacramento; luncheon to follow
Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, 5245 N. Backer Ave., M/S PB4, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.
