Resident of Walnut Creek

Alfred Richard Alef, lovingly known as Dick, was born in Oakland, grew up in Burlingame, and attended local schools there. He later graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in business.

Dick began his career as a food buyer for Purity Grocery Stores and later for Louis Stores. Even while working full-time, he explored entrepreneurial ventures—opening a Christmas tree lot in San Francisco and selling oil paintings on weekends in home improvement store parking lots. Resourcefulness, creativity, and determination were defining threads of his life.

Dick discovered his true calling when he began working in construction for a friend. Gaining experience and confidence, he studied for the state exam and became a licensed contractor at age 40, founding Alef Construction.

A chance conversation at his children’s T-Ball game introduced him to work in Rossmoor, a community that soon became the heart of his business. After several years helping residents with remodeling projects, he received a contract with Mutual One to provide maintenance for its many units, which he did for several years.

Beyond construction, Dick’s greatest passion was training his beloved Golden Retrievers for hunt tests. Dedicated and disciplined, he traveled to Marysville twice weekly to train and journeyed up and down the West Coast to compete. With his dog Copper, he competed in the AKC Master National Hunt Test four times, earning Copper a place in the Master National Hall of Fame—an achievement that brought Dick immense pride.

For those with a hunting dog, a duck club is a treasure.

Dick joined the Side by Side Duck Club in Suisun, spending many mornings hunting and evenings enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hunters. He formed friendships everywhere he went; his warmth, humor, and steadfast loyalty made him someone others gravitated toward and deeply trusted.

Above all, Dick was devoted to his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Heidi; his children, Tracie Kiachian (Jon) and David; and his five cherished grandchildren—Lauren, Ryan, Casey, Hayley, and Brody—each of whom brought joy tohis life and pride to his heart.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, January 3,2026, at 11 a.m.