Richard Lee Rivard
Richard Lee Rivard, 69, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away suddenly of a heart attack late Friday evening, May 14, 2004, after time well spent with friends.
Richard (Dick) was born in Pasco, Wash. on May 31 1934.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Clarice Rivard in 1991, and his father, Joseph "Dave" Rivard on Christmas Day, 1998.
Dick is survived by: his younger sister and co-conspirator in life, Margaret (Rivard) Fann and her husband, Jerry of Richland, Wash.; his youngest sister, Ardyth Mary Hansen and her husband, David of Las Vegas, Nev.; three nephews and two nieces; and many great-nieces and nephews, including Eric, who was a fellow rock hound.
His third niece, Kimberly, was waiting with Dick's parents as he arrived at the Gate.
Dick was recently saddened to learn that Ardyth, his youngest sister, had suffered a massive stroke at age 55. She is still recovering and will be unable to attend his memorial services.
Dick's many friends and family will be together sharing some of his favorite jokes and stories on Thursday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. at the Hangout Restaurant, banquet room, 819 W. Third in Moses Lake, Wash. This will be a casual service, with dinner buffet to follow.
Dick was an adventurer, a sly and crafty poker player and a stimulating conversationalist (if not always hilarious). He flew his first solo flight at age 15, after being driven by his mom to flight classes, as he was too young to get a driver's license.
He was a gifted pianist as a young man, a secret he kept well guarded later in life. He was a diligent investigator of "things genuine" and found great humor in situations that used to baffle his companions in life.
Richard was proud to serve in the United States Marine Corps and gave his country six years of honest and faithful service. He participated in the Korean Defense and was a radar technician. After he was honorably discharged, Dick returned to his hometown to start a business in TV repair.
He later contracted with the U.S. Navy to serve in Kodiak, Alaska as a radar/communications repair man, a job he did well for nearly 10 years.
How do you say goodbye to your hero-idol big brother? I believe this is how he would say it to me:
Don't venture out just looking for me. There's no need for you to search far;
Anytime you feel lost without me, just the thought brings me right where you are.
Special thanks to Dan Dekker for listening, Jerry Fann for understanding, Bobbie, Myra, Loretta, Joe, Tammy, Gordon, Sheryl, and Jeremy for their kindness and the Grant County Emergency Medical team.
Words cannot express our gratitude for the friends who have encouraged us since his unexpected death, so thanks.