Richard B. Whitnah Co-owned Rick's Dessert Diner

A memorial service for Richard "Rick" Bryant Whitnah, the former co-owner of a popular midtown diner and at one time considered one of Sacramento's best pastry chefs, will be conducted in early July.

Mr. Whitnah, a Sacramento residence since 1982, died last Friday in his Curtis Park home after a lengthy illness. He was 42.

Mr. Whitnah worked in the restaurant business for more than 13 years in Southern California, San Francisco and Colorado. Soon after moving to Sacramento, he became a free-lance baker for numerous local restaurants before joining Bon Appetit Restaurant in Fair Oaks as a pastry chef in 1984. A year later, he became a pastry chef for Zito's Bar and Grill, and Paragary's Bar and Oven in Sacramento.

Mr. Whitnah then opened Rick's Dessert Diner on K Street in 1986. He was co-owner, manager and baker. The diner, a popular night spot and the first coffee-and-dessert-type restaurant of its kind in the capital, was noted for its award-wining 1950s decor.

He left the business, which still bears his name, in 1990 and went to work for Paragary's on Fair Oaks Boulevard and in midtown, as well as the Capitol Grill. His creative desserts were featured in local magazines--one of which dubbed him the "reigning Sultan of Sweets"--The Bee and local television shows.

Mr. Whitnah, who loved music and singing, was a founding member of the Sacramento Men's Chorus.

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