40-year educator to retire, spend time on chopper
By Leland Fowler Special to the Acorn

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers READY TO HIT THE ROAD- Richard La Barthe, who has taught at Camarillo High since 1968, will retire this month. In addition to rest and relaxation, he looks forward to riding his motorcycle in tours across the country.

History teacher Richard La Barthe will be remembered by Adolfo Camarillo High School students as much for his passion for teaching as for his love of motorcycles.

The 63-year-old Thousand Oaks resident plans to retire Jan. 25, ending not only an era at Camarillo High but a 40-year career in education.

"I'm able to help start some of my students on the road to a successful life," La Barthe said when asked what he enjoys most about teaching.

During his time at the school, La Barthe also coached football, basketball and track.

He began teaching at the high school in 1968 at the age of 23, shortly after receiving his teaching credential. A year before that, he bought his first motorcycle for cheap transportation, La Barthe said.

It would later become his defining passion.

La Barthe can often be seen riding his motorcycle throughout Ventura County as part of a riding club or simply motoring through the main entrance to the campus for a day in the classroom.

After nearly four decades of teaching, La Barthe said he looks forward to the next stage of life. He praised the administration and Principal Glenn Lipman, whom he has known nearly as long as he has been teaching, and said he'll miss his students and colleagues.

"He's an outstanding educator," Lipman said. "He's made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of students, and I consider him a friend. We'll miss him terribly."

La Barthe said, though, it's time for him to retire, and he looks forward to the free time he will have once he finishes teaching. He and his wife of 39 years, Lea, said they have already begun making plans for his retirement.

He said those plans include a good dose of relaxing and sleeping in, as well as fishing. But La Barthe said his days in retirement will be spent mostly enjoying the open road while riding in motorcycle tours across the country.

Leland Fowler, 16, is a junior at Adolfo Camarillo High School and a member of the school's student newspaper, The Stinger.