Deacon Richard Koppes, who served the diocese for more than 26 years, died on September 9, 2025. He was 79 years old.
Bishop Rey Bersabal will preside at a funeral mass on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Parish, 660 Florin Rd Sacramento, CA 95831.
Richard Koppes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend to many was born on August 20, 1946, in Norfolk, Virginia to his loving parents, William and Mary Ann Koppes, Rich grew up in Lakewood, California and for the past 53 years has made Sacramento his home.
He is survived by the love of his life, Connie, his children Jeffrey (Letitia), Kevin (Amanda), Lisa Levasseur (David), Megan DeMartini (Christopher), and Michael (Elizabeth) and his grandchildren Sophia, Emily, Jackson, Ben, Abby, Matthew, Maddie, Olivia, and Libby. He also leaves behind his siblings Peggy, Don, Tom, and Paul as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Rich lived a full and active life alongside his beloved wife, Connie. Rich made faith the center of his life through his service as a deacon at St. Anthony Parish for 40 years. Together they were involved in countless ministries that served the greater Sacramento area including Family Promise, the Sacramento Life Center, St Vincent de Paul, the Exodus Project, Christ the King Retreat Center, South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership, and many more. Rich had a deeply generous heart. Much of his ministry was focused on building and nurturing relationships with others through listening and one on one support. His hobby was helping people.
In addition to his life of service, Rich was also an incredibly influential attorney. He was widely regarded as a pioneer of corporate governance. He was the former Deputy Executive Officer and General Counsel of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). He worked for the state of California for 25 years. Upon retiring from the state, he was of counsel at Jones Day law firm. He was the founder, past President, and former Administrative Officer of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys (NAPPA). He served on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), was an Advisory Board Member of the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University, as well as a professor, and a member of the PJT Camberview Advisory Council. The National Law Journal named him as one of the country’s 100 most influential lawyers. He received this honor as well as many other lifetime achievement awards throughout his career.
Rich met Connie when she and some friends snuck into a dance at Loyola Marymount University. He was 18 and she was 17. They married five years later in 1969. Through 56 years of marriage they partnered together, traveled the world together, ministered and practiced their faith together, all while raising a loving family. He often referred to Connie as the rock of the family.
Rich loved to spend time with his family and friends and to travel. Lake Tahoe, Murphys, CA and Ashland, OR were some of Rich’s favorite retreats. He loved Hawaii and traveled the world with Connie and loving family and friends. Rich was incredibly proud of his nine grandchildren who were the light of his life. Their frequent trips to Baskin Robbins and card game playing will be memories forever cherished. Above all, Rich was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family Promise of Sacramento, the Sacramento Life Center, or Christian Brothers High School.