January 21, 1917-September 9, 2005
Erven "Erv" was born to Inez Kostenbader and Lloyd Richardson in Ontario, Oregon. He lived in Oregon during his early years, and in high school, during summer vacation, he worked on a cattle ranch outside Burns, Oregon. He met and married Iona Brock in Ontario, and they had one son, Daniel.
Just before WW2, Erv moved his family to Seattle. Erv joined the Army Air Corps and served as a paratrooper in the South Pacific during WW2. He worked at Boeing for 42 years-both before and then after the war. He was a member of the Burien Elks and the Alki Masons.
Erv loved the outdoors, and often traveled to Dawson Creek, Canada, where he would stay with relatives to fish, hunt and ride his favorite horse Willard, and live the cowboy life he loved. He appreciated Western art, and visited many an art show with his son Dan and friends. He was an accomplished athlete, and loved to play golf.
He received his favorite birthday gift on his 71st birthday; a golden retriever puppy from his son Dan. His dog, George was his constant, loved companion for 15 years, going everywhere Erv did-George was one of the few allowed to visit Erv's "secret" fishing hole in Eastern Washington. On a hot summer afternoon, you might spot Erv treating his faithful pal George to an ice cream cone in West Seattle.
He had wonderful memories of two memorable trips taken in the 1980s-one to Russia and the other to China.
Erv loved to play cards, and was always ready for a game. For the past 19 years, Erv joined in a weekly card fest and dinner out with his son, his son's wife, and other family card sharks.
On his 79th birthday, he told his family that he had decided to skydive. The family watched in a mixture of admiration and horror as he triumphantly accomplished a skydive-three consecutive times!!
For the past two years, he lived in an apartment at Mt. St. Vincent's, where the staff was quite fond of him. In recent years, he had a special friendship with his former neighbors, Heather and Ed, and loved visiting with their young son Teddy.
His family and friends knew him to be a gentleman; both humble and kind. He loved small children and animals. He was always quick to do a favor for family and friends. He was always cheerful, didn't like to complain, and always put on a sunny face.
Erv was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Wilma and Iona. He is survived by his son Dan, Sue (Dan's wife) and his family.
Remembrances in his name may be made to Medic One.
Arrangements entrusted to Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home of West Seattle.
