Martin Richard Munday's Obituary
Dick Munday, 83, of Pahoa, Hawai‘i, a former 40-year resident of the Truckee–Tahoe area, passed away on March 2, 2026. Dick graduated from the U.C. Berkeley College of Environmental Design with a degree in architecture in 1967 and moved to Tahoe City in 1972. Throughout his career, he designed more than 200 custom residences throughout Tahoe and Hawaii. Dick was honored with two Housing and Urban Development (HUD) passive solar design awards and shared his passion for sustainable design by teaching solar principles to the community through Sierra College.
He was a talented trumpet player who performed at many local venues with multiple organizations, including Boca Brass, Sierra Nevada College Wind Ensemble, and the Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival. While at Cal Berkeley, Dick was in the marching band and often participated in the Alumni Band days for the Big Game, Cal vs Stanford.
Dick was a founding hot-air balloonist in Northern California. He was one of the first pilots at what is now known as the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, where his balloon “Rosy Baby” graced the skies in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Dick is predeceased by his son, Aaron, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Helga (Kukana) Munday, and his daughter, Rose Munday. Dick is lovingly remembered for his humor, warm smile, and a kindness and generosity that reached many on this life journey with him.
In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in his name to the National Public Radio, the Reno Philharmonic, or the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
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