Richard Walter McDonnell

At Large

Richard McDonnell was born in Alameda and raised in Berkeley. California. He graduated from Berkeley High School and attended the California School of Arts and Crafts and the University of California.

At an early age, Richard demonstrated a talent for drawing and the arts, a craft he enjoyed throughout his life. His many friends were the beneficiaries of his drawings, water colors, and woodcarvings.

In 1963, Richard moved to Manteca as the manager of the Genstor Batch Cement Plant. He later sold insurance until his retirement. He was then hired by the Manteca Bulletin as a political cartoonist. His cartoons were always well received by his fellow Mantecans.

Richard was the past president of the Manteca Jaycees, a member of the Fourth of July Committee, and on the Senior Advisory Board. He was an active member of the Senior Citizens Center. Richard McDonnell supported Manteca schools by donating his time and artistic talents to promote fund raising projects that benefited students. He participated in a variety of projects at the Manteca Senior Center including designing a logo for the group, cartoons for the newsletters, set designs for skits, and other senior functions.

Because of his 37 years of community volunteerism and artistic contributions, the community of Manteca has honored Richard McDonnell by his induction into the Hall of Fame.