Richard Frank Walston's Obituary
RICHARD FRANK WALSTON (Dec. 25, 1933 Â- Mar. 16, 2003)After a courageous battle with cancer, Dick Walston died 3/16/33, age 69, at his Steilacoom home with his loving family by his side. Dick (Rich to his family) was a friendly, caring guy who will be greatly missed in the community. Very outgoing, he truly never met a stranger. He had a genuine sense of humor and a great love of the outdoors.Dick was born Christmas Day 1933 to Frank R. Walston and Violet E. Walston in Bellingham WA. He grew up in Bremerton where he made friends that have remained close for over 50 years. After attending Western WA University, he completed his B.A. in Business Administration at Washington State University. There he met his wife Joan and married in 1954. They raised two children, Cindy and Brad. After college, Dick worked for Procter & Gamble, first in L.A., then Lakewood where he lived for 43 years. Then he started his own company (N W Emergency Equipment) as a dealer for fire trucks and ambulances. He worked tirelessly until retirement in1995 when he could spend more time traveling and boating on Puget Sound and Canadian waters.DickÂ's firefighting career began as a volunteer in Pullman, WA. Later, he served the Lakewood Fire Dept 28 years, and was the first recipient of the Lakewood Fireman of the Year award in 1962. He served as a fire commissioner for 30 years. Dick was dedicated to community service. Dick was Chairman of the Lakes District Improvement Council and a charter member of the Lakewood Jaycees. In 1967 he was appointed by Gov. Dan Evans to serve on the first Pierce Co. Boundary Review Board. He assisted in setting up the Fire Service Training program at Pierce College. Dick has been active in the Rotary Club of Lakewood for 22 years.Dick had a lifelong love of boating. Dick is Past Commodore of Day Island Yacht Club and of International Yachting Fellowship of Rotary, a member of Trawler Crawlers Boating Club, CHB Boating Club, & Fire Service Boating Club.Dick is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Joan, daughter Cindy of Lakewood, sister Joanne and her husband Larry Carleton of Maui, HI, his aunt Kathryn Williams of Newberg, OR, brothers-in-law J. D. Kesterson of Richland, and Cliff Kesterson and wife Marci of East Wenatchee, father-in-law Wayne Kesterson of East Wenatchee, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his Father in 1983, his Mother in 1987, and his son Brad in 1989. A Celebration of his Life will be held 2:00 Friday, in the Mountain View Valley Chapel. Memorials may be made to Lakewood Rotary Fund for St. Clare Hospital (PO Box 99786, Lakewood, WA 98499), or to Franciscan Hospice, 3901 S Fife, Tacoma 98405.
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