Richard E. Settle, 77, West Hollywood, CA
Richard Eugene Settle, a longtime Hollywood resident, died on July 19, 2023, from a long bout with cancer.
Richard Settle
Born on July 28, 1946, in Pana, IL, Richard was a 1964 graduate of Vandalia Community High School in Vandalia, IL. He was a Navy veteran, serving off the coast of Vietnam as a radio operator from July 1967 – March 1971, followed by two more years in the Naval Reserve. He was Honorably Discharged and received several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service with three bronze stars.
Following his discharge, Richard relocated back to California, where before enlisting, he had acquired an Associate’s Degree in Art from Hancock College in Santa Maria. He made his way to Hollywood where he eventually landed in the communications department at Capital Records. While in Hollywood he studied at several photography schools, hoping to develop his career as a professional photographer. In the 1980s he began working with acclaimed Hollywood glamor photographer George Hurrell.
Richard eventually joined an established photo studio in then unincorporated West Hollywood, Capital Records became an important client. In the 1980s birth of the City of West Hollywood, he became one of its official photographers, documenting decades of its history.
For over 40 years, Richard was a faithful member of Hollywood United Methodist Church. He served in various capacities, from Altar Guild Chair to Church Council Chair. Richard was perhaps best beloved for his monthly tours of the church, including the bell tower. He also photographed multitudes of baptisms, sending the pictures to parents as his baptismal gift to them.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman and Virginia Settle, his brother James and his nephew Tod Settle.
A Service in Celebration of Life for Richard was held on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6187 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Following the service, Richard’s ashes were interred in the church’s columbarium.