Richard James Stapelman

Richard Stapelman, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Moses Lake, Washington on June 26, 2022.

He was born 1931 in Lansing, Michigan, to Henry and Mary Ann Stapelman. After graduating St. Mary’s High School, where he played football and baseball, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. He received a Michigan State University aeronautical engineering B.S. degree, and in 1954, married his sweetheart Mary. His aerospace career moved the growing family across the country through Lansing, the Detroit suburbs of Berkley and Grosse Pointe, Rapid City, Littleton and Huntsville, before settling permanently in Bellevue, Washington, where they raised their six children.

Design work for NASA Apollo Saturn V rocket and lunar lander spacecraft were space and defense projects of which he was especially proud. After Richard’s retirement from Boeing in 1990 and Mary’s from Bellevue School District in 1993, they moved to Moses Lake, relaxing in a bounty of nature and sunshine. Their children and grandchildren visited for many fun summers, enjoying the lake, Fourth of July barbecues, outdoor concerts, fireworks, swimming, boating, fishing, mini golf, water park, scenic drives, cooking, stargazing, laser shows and backyard tent camping. These memorable times were a gift that gathered and bonded. Richard and Mary shared 40 wonderful years together. After Mary’s 1994 passing, Richard began attending senior center events where he learned dancing. He was assigned “angel” Edythe Yokem to coach him with new steps, and married that angel in 1996. They enjoyed dancing, fishing, and card games with friends until Edy’s 2010 passing. In 2012, Richard married Jettie Weaver, enjoying a decade of spectacular sunsets over shimmering waters at their lakeside home.

Richard was an avid sportsman and fisherman who cherished the beauty of outdoors. His diverse interests included hiking, camping, boating, mechanical, investments, computer and puzzles on cold winter days. Artistically, he created scenic oil paintings, wood sculptures, sewing and crafts. He appreciated visiting national parks across the country, exploring geology and volcanoes of Hawaii and cruising glaciers of Alaska. His robust laughs and hearty hugs were contrasted by quieter times individually chatting with different family members about wildlife, projects and nature, often teasing with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He encouraged grandchildren’s educational pursuits, was a person of faith and had good times with neighbors and friends. He kept busy tending his garden, trees and fish pond, and each season gathered home-grown apples and walnuts to share with family and friends. It has been a full and satisfying life.

Forever Loved, Forever Missed, Forever in our Hearts

Richard is survived by current wife Jettie; six children Michael (Olivia), Tim (Melanie), Steve (Julie), Denise (Jim), James (Kris) & Suzanne (Joe); 10 grandchildren (Heather, Rebecca; Barrett, Mitchell; David; Christine, Senna, Alyssa; Sydney, Sam); great-grandchild Soren; three stepchildren Brice, Penn (Teresa) and Suzanne (Jamie); two brothers Robert (Sondra) and Mark (Penny); and many nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by parents Henry and Mary, first wife Mary, second wife Edy and sister Joyce.

Memories and condolences are welcomed in the guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com.