“Daddy is the most amazing”.
Edwin, age 6
Starting at an early age Richard took things apart to see how they worked, even leading up to his final days that quality and passion never faltered. He had a unique sense of humor, deep love of learning, was generous with his time.
When it came to his family he was extremely involved and supportive of his two children (Quince, 13; Edwin, 6) and wife (Amanda). During Quince’s rowing regattas and band concerts, and any school events Edwin attended Richard was often found taking photos. Many times he would make the event album public for others as well. When Quince took up playing the trumpet Richard looked forward to the day they could perform together. They played together in the Sequim City Band 2024 4th of July concert, 2023 Sequim Chamber of Comm tree lighting, and in the Port Angeles Alumni Band for Port Angeles 4th of July parade. He encouraged Amanda to make sourdough even though he is not much of a bread eater, buy more yarn, and many other things. He played PlayStation games with Edwin, cooked eggs, and whatever else he wanted to do with Richard from running around the Coho ferry to going down slides to working on something in the garage. Of course, both kids were learning how to make pie crust.
At the end of a day, he might be found watching one of the worst rated movies on a streaming service laughing a way at it. Other nights he might fall asleep with his laptop on his stomach and a cat at his feet. Or, while listening to an older British documentary. There were times when it was all of the above!
Richard had a wealth of random knowledge, surprising many friends with facts in realtime when a question came up during conversation. It was no secret he loved pie, especially pumpkin pie and as breakfast saying it was a good breakfast food with a protein, dairy, and pastry. There was not a number of pies that was “too many to make”. I think the most he made at one time was close to 20.
When he was younger, his mom would make him a chocolate cheesecake on his birthday make sure it go to him wherever he may be living. Being unhappy with store bought corned beef dinner, he would make his own. Richard bought the largest cut of beef he could fit into the fridge, corned it, then tended to it for a week. Once finished, him and Amanda would host a huge dinner for friends lovingly called Corned Beef Fest. Being one for flare, it also included an invite and logo he designed.
Richard was active throughout his life in a variety of volunteer opportunities, notable highlights include the Juan de Fuca Festival, Seattle Robotics Society, and Sequim City Band. To the Sequim City Band, Richard was one of our most devoted members for over 15 years. Besides playing French Horn, Richard was our IT guy – anything related to email, website, or internal files, he was our photographer, set-up crew leader, concert program designer, former board member and past-president, recruiter, and all around wonderful human being.
The formation of the PAHS Alumni Band is a result of Richard. By talking to fellow band mates, former band alumni, etc Richard saw a need for a marching band. The only qualification to join is you had to have played in band. Any funds earned from this would be donated to the PAHS Band Booster Endowment Fund to help support band programs in our local schools. Ideas in hand, he pitched to the two band directors he also performs alongside, Jarrett Hansen and Tyler Benedict. Loving the idea, the trio made it happen.
Richard worked at Nikola Engineering for 20 years as the design engineer for car audio amplifiers. Originally, he started working for Nikola as a part-time employee hired to surface-mount solder boards. His role changed and grew, although he could still be found in his “area by the bunker” surface-mount soldering a board. Only this time, it was to repair the board after he blew it up while testing. On many occasions, he returned home proudly saying “I almost lost my eye sight today.” then went on to explain what happened. Beyond his titled job description, he got the workplace safety program off the ground making sure Nikola remained OSHA compliant. When they decided to purchase a new office space, Richard handled the building maintenance systems from fire sprinklers to lawn sprinklers, HVAC systems to security systems, electrical and building lighting.
Over the years as new projects came up he grew into a role of project manager as well.
Occasionally travel was required, this took him to CES in Las Vegas, California, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China several times.
He took on a lot and is greatly appreciated and missed. He made a name for himself in the car audio amplifier field through collaboration with people around the globe.
In addition to these cool things, he was passionate about USC Marching Band. Despite only attending for a year, it was special to him. Life took him to live in Utah, while there he worked at Action Target where he engineered moving targets for gun ranges. When he moved home, he took a job working at Bonny’s Bakery. Although a decent cook and baker, working under Bonny and Jane he learned baking tips that refined his skills on baked goods.
Richard is survived by his two children, Quince and Edwin, his wife Amanda, and three cats. He leaves behind his mother Cecile, and four siblings Alicia, Chris, Travis, and Tristin as well.