Desert Messenger

February 21, 2018 www.DesertMessenger.com 25 • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary Place it FREE in the: Desert Messenger! 928-916-4235 Got something to share? In Memoriam Richard Leroy Thompson Born March 16, 1931 in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Died on February 25, 2018 at the age of 86 years 11 months. Richard was the eldest of 4 brothers and a sister and grew up in the north Idaho area. He was in- volved in Boy Scouts as a youth and became an Eagle Scout in 1948. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1949 and briefly attended the North Idaho College of Educa- tion in Coeur D'Alene Idaho. He began working for the REA in north Idaho when he met Dona Margaret Dalhstrom at a community dance north of Sandpoint Idaho in the Fall of 1950. They were married in Veneta, Idaho April 14, 1951 and lived 67 wonderful years together in Idaho, Washington and Arizona. Richard's professional life was fo- cused in the electrical distribution field for 28 years. He worked and trained as an electrical engineer, gaining his certification through evening courses and correspon- dence courses while working for Richland City Light in Richland Washington. Later he achieved his Professional Electrical Engineer License while working for Public Utility District #3 in Mason Coun- ty, Washington state. Richard's life focused around fam- ily, community & church involve- ments, and his professional work. Richard and Dona raised 7 chil- dren from 1953-1987. He was a Boy Scouts of America adult leader in many roles in Sandpoint, Richland, and Shelton cities. Hundreds of young men were blessed and men- tored through his decades of troop leadership and training until his re- tirement in 1987. He was recognized with many awards for his service. Richard was also involved in many roles in the churches that he was a member of throughout his life. Richard retired from PUD#3 in 1987, sold their Shelton home and began a traveling life that spanned the next 28 years. Richard and Dona traveled to 49 of the 50 states by motor home or Cruise-A-Home boat in those years. Richard was ever the hands on fix anything kind. Until he turned 83 he insisted on repairing everything in both the motor home and boat. As well, he lost track of the number of people whose vehicles and boats he got go- ing again in the middle of nowhere during their travels. They parked the motor home at their Quartzsite home permanently and then made community involvement the focus of their lives. Of all the activities in Quartzsite, Richard was most proud of his in- volvement in the Quartzsite Am- ateur Radio Association youth programs. His leadership was in- spirational and life-changing for children all across the region. The programs he led helped to make science fun for hundreds of youth... lifting up and inspiring them into science and learning through ra- dio science. In 2015 he decided to change the town's radio repeater to year-round operation and sup- ported the startup of the youth-led Arizona Amateur Radio Association (AZARA). Since then more than 70 youth in local communities gained their FCC Amateur Radio license, as well as, becoming engaged in dozens of after-school programs in science, technology, engineering and math. Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dona, two younger brothers, Dale, of Sandpoint, ID and Darel of Wenatchee, WA. His children, Kurt (Leslie) of Kirkland, WA (where Dona is now living), Carey (Mary), Carol Gladsjo (Ernie) in Alaska, Keith and Mike in Phoenix, Cory Nomee (FL), and Bill (Ann) in Seattle, WA, along with 12 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren scattered across the USA and in Japan. If you want to make a memorial for Richard, please make a donation to your favorite charity or group. Cards may be sent to Dona Thomp- son, 15003 122nd Pl NE, Kirkland, WA 98034. If you would like to talk with Dona, please call their long standing phone number to do so. Richard Lee Anderson was born July 29, 1936 in Exira, Iowa and died at home in Quartzsite, AZ Jan- uary 27, 2018. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He attended Country school and schools in Exira, IA. Richard served in the Army. His main occupa- tion was painting bridges and also had his own paint shop. He lived most of his live in Brayton, Iowa. Later in his life he spent winters in Quartzsite, AZ. He enjoyed fishing, rodeos, bull riding, Nascar, Iowa Hawkey football, rock collecting, jewelry making, flea marketing and most of all his music; singing and playing his guitar at the Jams. He MC'd a Jam at The Scenic Road RV Park for several years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He is survived by Lou Rene Sherod; sister Lola Bennet, Carroll, IA; sons Richard M. Anderson and wife Char- lotte, Hayes, Kansas, Tom Ander- son, Oakland, IA; daughters Jody Griswold, Bethel Island, CA, Patti and Jeff Wilson, Adiar, IA; many Grand and Great Grandchildren and many Nieces and Nephews. Services were held at the Lutheran Church on February 13, 2018. Richard Lee Anderson Richard Leroy Thompson N6WIZ

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