Professor, friend remembered

Yuba College Professor Deborah L. Richter passed away on January 5, 2006, at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento; she was merely 55 years old.

Professor Richter was born in Boise, Idaho, to John and Betty Druash and grew up in Marysville, California.

Richter earned her masters degree in computer science from Chico State University in 1973 and went on to teach computer science and mathematics for 32 years.

She embraced teaching and dedicated herself to her students and colleagues. She spent the last 17 years working as a Professor at Yuba College, where she touched many people and warmed many hearts.

“Debbie was a very special person,” said Marcia Stranix, Professor of Business at Yuba College. “And if you were Debbie’s friend, you were a special person.”

Once you obtained Professor Richter’s friendship, you knew that you had one of the greatest friends you would ever have.

She had a family history at Yuba College. Her father taught at Yuba College for many years, and her mother worked at Yuba College for a time as well.

Students who had Richter as their math or computer science professor know that she was a very patient and caring person.

“She cared about the college. She really cared about this organization,” said Stranix.

Professor Richter was someone that you went to if you had a problem. She was a great listener and loved to give people advice.

“She was a very good and caring friend. We all miss her a great deal,” said Stranix. “I haven’t even walked down the part of the library where her office was since she passed away.”

Professor Richter was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma – Iota Sigma Chapter, the Yuba College Faculty Association, American Association of University Women, and the American Association of University Professors.

She is survived by her daughters, Vanessa and Elizabeth Richter; her parents, John and Betty Druash; her sister, Carol Nagel; and her granddaughter, Aydin Richter.