Richardson
March 1, 1920-
September 13, 2007
87 years young
Fred was born on a cattle ranch in northeastern Montana. He grew up in the rural community of Antelope, riding horseback to school, working in the hay fields, playing baseball. Upon graduation from high school he left for Montana State College in Bozeman. In 1940 he moved to Seattle where he completed three degrees in engineering at the University of Washington. During this time he was president of Lambda Chi Fraternity.
College was interrupted by World War II where Fred served as Lieutenant JG in the Navy. Fred entered the Navy via the V7 and V12 training programs at the UW, receiving his Navy Ensign Rank from Columbia University in New York City in 1944. In fact, Fred graduated from Midshipman School the morning of June 29 and then ran to Riverside Church where he married his sweetheart, Barbara, in the afternoon. They have been married 64 years, not parted until Fred passed away on Sept. 13, 2007. His legacy of love and commitment for his wife and family continues even now.
While in the Navy, Fred received subchaser training and deep-sea diving certification. He served in Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal and the New Hebrides Islands in the South Pacific, returning to civilian life in 1946. With the exception of a five year relocation to Palo Alto, California, to work for Lockheed Corporation as a Senior Advanced Systems Engineer, he remained happily settled in the Seattle area for 50 years, raising his family in Normandy Park. For 30 years he was a member of the Normandy Park United Church of Christ (1966-1996). He worked for the Boeing Company in product development and interior design. Fred retired from Boeing in 1986 and from Contract Engineering in 1991.
Fred was disciplined and focused, yet maintained a sense of humor and a widespread interest in everything around him. He took up the study of tai chi and made two trips to China to continue that study. Those trips released a love for travel that stayed with him the rest of his life. He wrote hundreds of Japanese haiku, which he illustrated with pen and ink drawings. And Fred loved to sing, breaking into song at the mere suggestion of a melody. He had a beautiful voice, singing either baritone or tenor as needed.
In 1999 he and Barbara moved to a house on the water near Port Gamble. Their front yard was Puget Sound. Here they enjoyed watching the shore birds, going for walks on the beach. Their beloved bridge club of many years continued to meet even as the distances between them grew greater. Their grandchildren enjoyed building forts, and kayaking and fishing. For the last five years there was always a boat being built in Grandpa's garage and he supervised and praised the progress. Fred was proud of every member of his family. He could only find good things to say about others.
Fred was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Wellington Richardson, and his mother, Florence (Carlson) Richardson, his sister, Sylvia Covey, his brother, Gordon Richardson, and his half brother, Douglas Johnson.
Fred is survived by his wife, Barbara; his three daughters, Sally, Ruth and Maggie and Maggie's husband, Rodney Hitchcock. Fred has four granddaughters, Kira, Keely, Caitlin and Meara, and four grandsons, Oak, Reed, Jeremy and Sean. He is also survived by his brother, Ralph Richardson of Yakima, as well as by many nieces and nephews.
Fred was a gentleman of the "old school," courteous, respectful and concerned for others. Even when he felt the discomfort of his final days he would summon a smile, wink, and say..."it's another beautiful day in Paradise!" And Paradise is where we know he is. We'll miss you, Poppa, and always lift our glass in toast: to you, to Joy.
At his request, there will be no formal service. However, there will be an informal gathering of friends and family at a later date. Remembrances should be made to a charity of choice. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
