Richard Bechello was born on February 9, 1933 to Joseph Renato Bechelli and Dominica Albina Picetti Bechelli in San Francisco. He attended his local Sarah B. Cooper Elementary School, Marina Middle School, Galileo High School, and graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1955.
He served in the United States Army as a Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps from 1955 to 1957. After his military service, he partnered with his family in the successful Bechelli Belts Company and he later created JJ's of San Francisco and New Works International. He started Bechelli Properties, since 1962 with his brother Joseph in 1962. He loved sports, having enjoyed a full athletic baseball scholarship at USF. Anchored as the catcher for the Dons, he always said "The Catcher Controls the Game". He loved fly fishing, tennis and golf. His passion for sports led to his philanthropic devotion dedicated to supporting amateur athletics in the Bay Area. Richard continued to serve his alma mater in various capacities, including being elected to the Board of Trustees in June 2003, and as the Chair of the School of Business and Management Advisory Council. Other Board of Directors that benefited from his dedication and commitments included Fort Mason Foundation, Salesian Boy's and Girl's Club of San Francisco, The Olympic Club Foundation, The Olympic Club, The Shores at Waikoloa, and The Old Time Athletes Association.
In 2017, The Don of the Year award was presented to his wife, Barbara Bechelli who continues his work at USF.
