Birth date: May 19, 1944 Death date: Apr 17, 2018
Richard DeWayne "Rick" Stracke, age 73, passed away on April 17, 2018 in Fife, Washington. He was born to Pauline and Harold Stracke on May, 19, 1944 in Tacoma, Washington. Rick graduated from West High School in Bremerton and wen Read Obituary
"Genuine" is what we should all aspire to be remembered as....
Loving thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace in this time of loss Cindy and Tiffany - your foundation has surely been shaken - but your fond memories will support you and get you through... It was so evident that you were his world and he will always be with you in your hearts until you meet again... Love and hugs <3
When you spend 8 hours a day, 260 days a year for more than 20 years with someone, you learn their likes and dislikes, habits, moods, body language and each share parts of yourself because you become comfortable and secure. Rick was more than a boss and co-worker; he was a leader, collaborator, problem solver, team player, mentor, our cheer leader and comic relief. I can’t tell you how many times Rick poked his head in my office on his way to the bathroom, with newspaper in hand, and said “If, no I mean when the president calls, take a message, I’ll get back to him.” Or sheepishly came and said, “Don’t be mad, I know I’m a pain in the ass, but do you have a copy of……?” 99.9% of the time I had what he was looking for, with his squiggled initials on it meaning he had read it.
I cut something out of the Seattle Times and put it in the scrapbook I made when he retired that said something like: Boss, a mentor that helps you reach your full potential. That was Rick. We are all better people because of him. He didn’t do things for the accolades or awards, he did them for the betterment of students and staff of the Renton School District.
He was intelligent but not pompous, thorough but concise, down to earth, a forward thinker, resourceful, inclusive, caring and kind. He was our friend. He had a wealth of knowledge and remembered everything, he could recall the what, when, why and how of past projects and issues. He wasn't afraid to look "outside the box" and try something new after researching it.
We have shared life happenings; marriages and weddings, the births of grandchildren, anniversaries and birthdays. We shared tragedies too; sickness, life’s ups and downs, the loss of family and friends. It has built a bond that cannot be broken.
If I had to choose one word to describe Rick, it would be genuine, defined as being the same in fact as appearance. There was never anything fake or questionable about Rick – he was authentic through and through.
Mucho grassy ass my friend, rest in peace, you will be missed more than you know.
Theresa Reece
