Richard Fredrick “Stretch” Lang, of Crescent City, CA, passed away on January 28, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Stretch was born in Sacramento, CA on April 8, 1950 to predeceased parents Henry and Barbara (Hood) Lang. His father remarried Lucy (Simpson) Lang who became a devoted mother figure in Stretch’s life.After graduating from Kennedy High School in Sacramento in 1968, Stretch worked for a short time in advertising at an area radio station and played guitar in a two-person band known to locals as “Stretch and Retch.” According to old-timers, they were a favorite at the historic Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, CA. Stretch eventually settled on a career in the construction industry and excelled as a glazier, welder. He retired as a union carpenter after 35 years of working both residential and commercial projects throughout the state of California.Stretch (so named for his height of 6’ 7”) married Paula (Otremba) Lang in 1990 at which time they blended their families to include his daughter and son Barbara and Robert Lang, and Paula’s two sons, Trever and Ryan Reynolds. Together they share four grandchildren and one great grandchild.An avid hunter and small craft commercial fisherman, Stretch was the skipper and rigger of the Lip Ripper II, docked in Crescent City. His special interests included watching old movies and westerns, and reading Louis L’Amour novels and the latest Farmer’s Almanac. He also liked taking over the kitchen to make dill pickles, venison sausage and peach jelly clear enough to be called “Looking Through” jelly.Friends and family asked to recall favorite moments with Stretch remember how much he liked to dress like Abe Lincoln for Halloween, show off the 1942 Willies military JEEP he meticulously restored and hang out at the Moose Lodge where he had been a longtime member. All knew there was a big smile coming whenever he had the chance to coach a ready and willing child on how to catch a fish.A celebration of life gathering is planned for Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Enoteca, 960 3rd St. in Crescent City. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Stretch’s memory to “Camp Barry,” an all-volunteer puppy and kitten rescue service. Address: Camp Barry, 1682 Parkway Dr., Crescent City, CA 95531 or donate here: www.campbarry.org googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });