Dick Dahlgard --"Mr. Burien" to many-- died suddenly of cardiac arrest Nov. 5 at his Lake Burien residence.

Mr. Dahlgard turned 73 on July 19.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 109 S.W. Normandy Rd. in Normandy Park.

He was a true Burienite.

He attended Sunnydale Elementary School and graduated from Highline High School in 1954.

Mr. Dahlgard opened Dick's Camera in 1969 and operated it successfully before retiring in 2006.

But it was his community work that made him an irreplaceable part of the city he loved.

He served on several boards, including the Highline Medical Center, Hi-Liners, Highline High School Alumni Foundation, Highline Historical Society. Discover Burien and Merchants of Burien.

Mr. Dahlgard served as the official photographer for most of the groups he joined.

The alumni association named him its "Alumni of the Year" in 2007 and he was the first recipient of the "Robbie," awarded by Robinson Newspapers for his outstanding contributions to the community.

Mr. Dahlgard also was chief organizer for the Burien 4th of July Parade and was a Miss Burien Scholarship Pageant sponsor for 30 years.

One of his proudest accomplishments was his perfect 46-year attendance record at the Burien/White Center Rotary's weekly meeting.

He is survived by his son Nels Dahlgard of San Diego, daughters Cathy Chambers of Newport Beach, CA, Julie Faugeroux of Portland,, and Paige Dahlgard of Seattle, sister Karen Dahlgard of Kirkland, brother Daryl Dahlgard of La Conner, and sister Kristin Galante of Mukilteo.

His daughter, Paige, is asking anyone with stories to share or photographs to e-mail them to Paige.dahlgard@gmail.com.

Many of Mr. Dahlgard's friends share their memories of him below:

The Robinson Newspaper family had a long time friendship with Dick Dahlgard. Three of the "boys" took up photography early in their careers and over the years purchased plenty of equipment from his shop. Together with publisher Jerry Robinson, here are some heartfelt thoughts about our dear friend.

Jerry Robinson:

"There is a reason that Dick Dahlgard won the first Robbie community service award from the Highline Times two years ago. He was, to the many thousands who knew him, just an incredible human being. He never got rich and only sold out his camera shop when digital cameras came on the market and he could not compete with huge chain stores that footballed the prices to where they sold them for less than he could buy them.

And who needs one-hour photo finishing when you print your own a minute after you take the picture?

But, he never felt like life played a dirty trick. He just radiated love and duty to his fellow man. How about women? Well, he had five shots at marriage and a number of close calls, but he talked to me many times about his love life and he never bellyached about any mate.

Matter of fact, the only time I ever heard him moan about anything was the dratted Democrats in power. He was a solid believer in the fact that we should lie down in the bed we make and not expect the government to hold our hands. He was also a ferocious believer in the flag and our military forces.

Dick was never a big advertiser, but he sure loved Burien. Burien loved him too. So did I."

Ken Robinson:

"I bought my first 'serious' camera from Dick Dahlgard in 1965, when his store was on 152nd Street. The store was a long rectangle with a counter on the west side where the cameras were displayed in cases.

Dick was often visible behind the counter. A big-shouldered man, he moved like a bear in the narrow space between the counter and the back wall where the salesmen stood to show you their wares.

I was always a little intimidated by Dick because his style was a little urgent. He seemed to want you to make up your mind and buy something. So I did. With my brand new First Bank charge card, I bought a Mamiya-Sekor C3 twin lens reflex. What a beautiful piece of Japanese engineering it was.

Dick had deep product knowledge to impart about this camera and showed me the functions of it in the way a carnival hawker of vegetable slicers might demonstrate its features. I just had to have it, even at the princely sum of $300. Fortunately, I had my First Bank card so money was no object. In fact, I had no idea how I was going to make the bankcard payments, but I went ahead bravely anyway.

I took many good photos with the camera, and hauled it with me for years. I still have it along with the memories of first touching it and marveling at its fluidity and the sharpness of the images it produced. Over the years, I saw Dick many times and as his hair turned from brown to white, his serious character never changed. He was a reliable and genuine friend."

Tim Robinson:

"Dick Dahlgard had a small shop on 152nd street in downtown Burien when I met him for the first time in 1971. Being the sports editor of the Highline Times, I needed to purchase a camera for my work. My boss sent me to see Dick. I had previous experience in high school as the school newspaper photographer, but I did not have any gear of my own.

In his shop the narrow walls were lined with camera accessories. The glass cabinet, filled with cameras and strobe lights, stretched three-quarters of the way down from the door. Shelves of boxed film like Panatomic-X, Verichrome Pan and Tri-X sat at parade rest behind the sales staff. Eastman Kodak signs stood on the counter tops. I had to marvel at the array of inventory.

A bit intimidated, I asked about shooting night football games at Highline Stadium. The stadium lights were bright, but not bright enough for good available light pictures. I needed a good camera and flash to capture the action. Dick checked me out on my skill level. He understood the problem and was ready to help. Without any pretentious sales talk, he had the answer.

I went home with a Konica F camera and flash unit the size of Tomahawk. The battery pack was as big as a brief case. But I was delighted with the results. Dick knew his stuff.

I learned later that he had been the school photographer at Highline in the 50's. Over several years I grew to respect Dick more and more. His generosity, kindness and knowledge of his business made me come back very often. I still have three cameras and probably a couple of rolls of film left over from those days. I shoot digital now and was helping Dick learn about this new age phenomena since he had sold his business prior to the digital camera boom.

I could only show him the controls. He knew the rest."

Patrick Robinson:

"I was 17 and a student at Evergreen High School. I needed a camera. Dick Dahlgard had just what I wanted. It was a Nikon F Photomic FTN. Dick knew everything there was to know about Nikon's and was the first one to advise me about which lenses to buy. It was great advice.

In every interaction I had with him from that first day in 1968 to last month, he was gracious, kind, complimentary and supportive of our family. He loved to read the paper and would come in to the office to pick up a copy, even though he had a subscription being mailed to him.

Our newspapers gave him the "Robbie" award for outstanding community service a couple of years ago. He truly earned it, given his unflagging support of business in Burien. With his generosity of spirit he deserves a much more fitting title, "Burien Businessman of the Century."

Jim Hughes:

One of Dick Dahlgard's closest friends is Jim Hughes, affable owner of Sal's Deli in Burien. He was nearly ovecome by grief when he got the bad news about his best friend.

"He called and asked for a lift to his place. He did not like to drive at night," Hughes said.

When they got to his home, "Dick almost ran upstairs. He was in a great mood."

They said goodbye and Dick said he was going to bed early. Jim then went home.

Dick failed to waken the next morning.

"The city should make Dick 'Man of the Century' or something. I am just stunned by our loss," Hughes said.

Nick the Burien barber

He cut Dick Dahlgard's hair for many years.

"I am just stunned. He was in such a great mood when I saw him this week. I just can't believe he is gone. What a joy he was to know. He was one in a million. Everybody knew him and he knew more about the Highline area than anybody. Did you know he was an Eagle Scout? Did you know he never missed a Rotary club meeting in 46 years? Did you know he went to Sunnydale grade school?"

Yep, Nick. We knew.

Patti Stewart Burgess

Highline Alumni Foundation

"Dick Dahlgard, Highline High School Class of 1954, was a great example of doing well and making a difference in our community. Dick followed his early interest in photography by opening DICK'S CAMERA AND SOUND in 1969, a highly successful retail business in Burien. Dick was a very familiar presence in our community and an involved citizen on many fronts. He served on the boards of several organizations, including Highline Hospital, Hi-Liners, HHS Alumni Foundation and the Highline Historical Society. Dick was the chief organizer of the Burien 4th of July Parade, Celebration, and Fireworks and was a Miss Burien Scholarship Pageant sponsor and supporter for over thirty years. He readily donated time, money, and photographs to any local worthy cause; and over the years hired many HHS students to work in his fine store. In 2007 he was named Alumni of The Year by the Highline High School Alumni Foundation. All this and more from a guy who grew up in Sunnydale. We all appreciate and salute him."

Bruce Rombaugh

Burien

"He was Mr. Burien for the longest time.

"I remember his laugh and smile. He had been everywhere, done everything, and knew everybody in town."

Patty Sader

Discover Burien

"We (Discover Burien) were making plans to help build our membership. We wanted to bring him aboard as the Master of Retention. Dick Dahlgard was a pillar of our community. His passing leaves huge holes in many organizations and in the hearts of many."

Richard Kalpousos

Burien

"I have known Dick since 1969 when Dick worked for Tall's Camera. Our friendship has lasted all these years even after working for Dick the last 10 years he was in business. I just talked to Dick two weeks ago and he was the same old Dick, talking about taking high school pictures and working at the historical society. Dick was a life long friend and I will always remember him in my heart. I will miss you Dick.

Darel Womack

"Dick and I started the camera store in Burien in 1969. That's when I came from Tall's Camera Supply on 3rd Ave in Seattle. Dick had been there before me. When Tall's closed, I came to work with him. I was part owner until I retired.

It was a long relationship. We worked together since 1954 at Tall's. We went into the service, split up and and got back together after the military.

We outgrew the 152nd store. Went to 156th around 1972. We were very successful there. Dick was involved in a number of things. President of Rotary, charitible work in community.

Stubbornness made him successful. He could survive anything that came down the road."