Richard “Dick” Mosbarger passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, surrounded by family in Bellingham, Washington.
Born on February 06, 1930, in Fillmore, California, he lived there until graduating from Fillmore High School in 1947. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Education in 1955. During that time, he served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ellyn Blodgett, whom he met in 1950 while attending Cal Poly. They formed a lifelong partnership after marrying in 1955.
He is survived by two sisters, Ann Scanlin of Ojai, CA, and Inez Ritchie of Napa, CA; three children, Heidi, Eric, and Dana, of the Pacific Northwest; grandchildren, Treat and Zoey; and loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long-time friends.
He began his teaching career at Fremont High School, where he quickly earned a reputation as an exceptional educator and mentor. In time, he achieved his dream job as head of the Agriculture Department at Fillmore High School. He and Ellyn, along with their young children Heidi and Eric, returned to Fillmore, where they built a family home on Sespe Avenue and welcomed their third child, Dana.
While at Fillmore High, he built one of the most successful agriculture programs in the state. His students learned not only farming, welding, and mechanics but also leadership through the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Under his guidance, Fillmore’s FFA chapter earned top honors at Ferndale Field Day, Parliamentary Procedure competitions, and the Ventura County Fair.
In his fourth year of teaching at Fillmore High, he was selected by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to join the United States Overseas Mission to Thailand, where he and four other agricultural specialists spent two years teaching modern farming practices to future Thai college professors. Upon returning home, he established Fillmore High’s School Farm, converting part of a flood-damaged golf course into a working educational farm that became both self-sustaining and profitable.
He retired in 1989 after a distinguished career that inspired generations of students. He enjoyed his retirement traveling extensively with Ellyn and, while home, spending much of his free time golfing and visiting with friends and family.
In 2021, he and Ellyn relocated to Bellingham, Washington, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Mr. Mosbarger will be remembered as an extraordinary teacher, husband, father, and mentor whose life embodied kindness and a deep commitment to his family and community.