Richard Henry Stalter

Richard Henry Stalter, 53, passed away suddenly on November 4, 2004 in his Ephrata, Wash. home. He was a former longtime resident of Longview.

He was born April 26, 1951 in Denver, Colo. He lived in Longview from 1963 to 1987, graduating from Mark Morris High School in 1970 and Lower Columbia College.

Rick loved his country and was proud and felt strongly about his service to it. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War era and the Gulf War. During the course of his military career, he went from the Air Force to the Washington Army National Guard and finally ending his career in the Army as a sergeant in the reserves. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and in Desert Storm in the Army National Guard.

Known to almost everyone as Rick, he was a very caring and loving husband, father, uncle and friend. He was generous and giving. His hobbies and passions were many. He loved baseball, fishing, gardening and history. He also loved writing poetry and short stories. He derived great joy from barbecuing, feeding people, and being a host.

Rick enjoyed helping and teaching others, especially young people. He was fascinated by and interested in the whole world around him. His latest endeavor was as an entrepreneur, starting a craft business with his wife, daughter and a couple of friends.

Rick met his wife in Longview in 1977. They were married on October 8, 1982.

He is survived by: his wife of 22 years, Laura Kay (Stout) Stalter; his daughter, Jennifer Suzanne Stalter, 19; his son, Nathaniel Isaiah Stalter, 10; parents, John J. and Kathryn L. Stalter; two sisters, Ginger Meyer and Alice Huford; three brothers, Larry Stalter, Robert Stalter and Kevin Stalter; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

His wife and children ask that donations be made and marked for asthma research in his honor and memory and sent to the American Lung Association for Asthma Research, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in care of Benson Family Funeral Service, Chapel, Crematory and Cemetery, Moses Lake.