Richard Robert Pierce's Obituary
Richard R. Pierce (Dick) passed away peacefully on 9/28/14 with his family by his side. He was 95 years young and born in McKenna, WA.
He blessed all those he knew with his compassion, generosity, integrity, obligation to responsibility, and mostly his wonderful sense of humor, optimistic outlook on life and a genuine love of people. After being raised primarily in orphanages and state farm homes, he had a fierce sense of obligation and commitment to his family. Dick was in the Civilian Conservation Corp, “The Tree Army,” and that began his endless love of the outdoors. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and spent three years in Europe during WWII. He truly was one from the “greatest generation.” His long work career was in the lumber and logging industry in Oregon and Washington. He had a varied list of interests including travel, reading, gardening, ancestry research, cooking, playing jokes on others, and anything you could do with wood products. Dick was preceded in death in 2013 by his wife of 70 years, Irma.
He left his family and friends with so many memories of his great joy of life, quirky sayings, fun antics and just being a wonderful man and role model. One constant he preached and lived was that “you only get one chance at this life, so live each day to the fullest and be kind to one another.” The legacy he leaves behind as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle lives on in each of us; he was our hero. He entertained us all with his never ending wit and humor. Dick was filled with a genuine interest in others and being with his family and friends brought him great pride and joy.
Until the last year of his life, he was busy making birdhouses so he could give them to others to bring a smile to their faces. His mission each day was to bring joy to someone else’s life. One great granddaughter said that she had never seen him grumpy and that describes his overall attitude about life and the way it should be lived – always a giving spirit from his heart. To know him, was to love him.
He leaves behind a family of three grateful daughters and their spouses: JoAnn and Vince Kerns, Jaylene and John Healey, Janis and Jeff Phillips plus a long list of grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all, but remembered in our hearts with immense appreciation for who he was.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the Patriot’s Landing staff and residents for making the last several months of his life so enjoyable and comfortable. At his request there will be no services. A family gathering will be held at a later date.
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