In Memoriam: Richard Lloyd Noble
Long-time Member of Board of Governors
(Spring 2003 Newsletter)
 Richard
Lloyd Noble, a brilliant securities lawyer and an active member
of the Board of Governors of Thomas Aquinas College since
1977, died December 10, 2002, in Los Angeles. He was 63. Funeral
and interment services were held on January 15, 2003, in Ardmore,
Okla., where he was interred next to his father Lloyd Noble,
a legend in the oil production industry.
Born October 11, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Noble lived most
of his adult life in Los Angeles. A graduate of both Stanford
University and Stanford University Law School, he passed the
California State Bar in April 1965, remaining a member until
his death. Twice published in the Stanford Law Review, Noble
received the rare honor of being published for the first time
in this review as an undergraduate.
was a very fine man, a very smart man, an excellent help
to me in several cases, an extremely sharp lawyer, and a good
friend through the years," says lawyer and fellow Board
member John E. Schaeffer. Schaeffer helped recruit Noble from
Stanford Law School to his San Francisco law firm of Cooper,
White & Cooper. In 1967, Noble returned to Los Angeles,
where he became a partner with Voegelin, Barton, Harris &
Callister. In 1970, he established his own firm, Noble &
Campbell.
A lifelong Republican and generous benefactor to conservative
causes, Noble's passion for politics was fostered at Stanford,
during which time he served as president of the Young Republicans.
He was later appointed by former California Governor Deukmejian
to serve on the Colorado River Board, a post for which he
was singularly wellqualified due to the depth of his understanding
of water rights law.
He had researched the issue extensively and coauthored an
article with Charles J. Meyers, which appeared in the 1967
issue of the Stanford Law Review. He served on the Colorado
River Board from his appointment on June 29, 1983, through
1994.
"Not only did we work together, he was also a personal
friend," recalls Dennis Underwood, former executive secretary
and executive director of the Colorado River Board during
much of Noble's tenure. "Richard added a dimension to
the Board that was extremely helpful because of his long involvement
in the political arena and his personal involvement with Governor
Deukmejian and thenSenator Pete Wilson. He was a tremendous
help at a time when we especially needed assistance."
"Richard was an avid reader, an accomplished writer
and speaker, and a friend to many," notes Paula Willins,
who worked with Noble for 18 years. "Many people have
called to express condolences and talk about fond memories."
Noble had a special affection for Thomas Aquinas College.
"He was a good and generous man," said Vice President
for Finance and Administration Peter DeLuca, whose friendship
with Noble was forged 40 years ago when each was president
of his respective college chapter of Young Republicans. "He
was a brilliant man. We very much appreciated his friendship
and his longtime involvement with the College. I believe he
felt a kinship with fellow Board members."
"Thomas Aquinas College was one of his chief interests,"
echoes Fred Ruopp, chairman and CEO of Chelsea Management
Company, an investment counseling firm in Los Angeles. Ruopp
knew Noble for 25 years and served with him on the College's
Board of Governors. "Richard believed that people should
investigate ideas and facts for themselves. He thought that
played out in the scholarship and educational methods of the
College."
"He was very competent and precise, a man of broad interests
and very articulate," adds Ruopp. "He had a great
command of names, dates, history and events. He was very bright,
interested in politics and history, and had many aesthetic
interests. We had many long and interesting conversations."
As a young child often accompanying his mother to estate
sales, Noble developed an eye for, and eventually became a
collector of, among other things, antiques, oriental rugs,
jade snuff boxes, and art, including an extensive collection
of nautical paintings.
"He often referred to himself as a man of the 17th century,"
recalls Willins. "He was a gentleman - very proper with
a wry wit."
"The loss of Dick Noble is a great loss to us,"
said President Dillon. "Dick had so much to offer and
was always an active participant at our Board meetings. His
length of service on our Board - 25 years - is just one measure
of his commitment to us, particularly in view of the many
struggles we faced early in his tenure to maintain the very
existence of our College. He was a steadfast friend through
some lean and difficult times."
Noble is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Eloise
Noble, father, Lloyd Noble, and halfbrother, Sam Noble. He
is survived by halfsister, Ann Noble Brown, halfbrother, Ed
Noble, by nieces and nephews, Lloyd Noble, Nicholas Noble,
Russell Noble, Shelley Noble Dru, David Brown, Susan Brown,
Marianne Brown Rooney, and Vivian Noble DuBose, and by numerous
grandnieces and nephews.
On February 22, 2003, a memorial Mass was held for Richard
Noble on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College and was attended
by his nephew, Lloyd Noble, several Board members, friends,
and members of the College community.
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Spring 2003
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