Obituary of Frederick Wehmeyer Stilson

Frederick Francis Wehmeyer “Rick” Stilson died on October 10, 2021, at his home in Lacey, Washington.  He was born in Topeka, Kansas, on June 4, 1958, to Steven Sidney Wehmeyer and Dorothy Blanche Marcoe.

 

Rick spent most of his early years growing up in Puyallup, Washington, with a large group of cousins.  He took an early interest in hair styling and theater, and by the time he graduated from Puyallup High School in 1976, he was an experienced theater trouper.  He earned his living hair styling during the day and, at night, he would tread the boards.

 

In 1988, Rick made a decision that would change his life.  He went to audition for the part of Freddy Eynsford-Hill in “My Fair Lady,” produced by the Abbey Players in Olympia.  He had been promised the part after he missed out on playing a part in another of their productions.  Unfortunately, another guy showed up and stole Rick’s part.  The first thing Rick said to the guy was “I hate you!”  About five months later, Rick and this guy, Scott Stilson, were living together, were officially married in 2013, and spent almost 33 happy years together.

 

Rick was diagnosed with HIV in 1989.  During the 1990s, Rick produced a fundraiser review for the local HIV/AIDS charity called “Babes with Big Hair.”  He invited all his theater friends in the community to perform.  He raised thousands of dollars for the HIV/AIDS community.  The most memorable moment in the show was always during the finale, when a number of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt were slowly lowered to the song “Bring Him Home.”  After the first finale, there was not a sound from the audience for what seemed like an age, then a tidal wave of cheers swept over the cast.  None of us will ever forget it.

 

Rick is survived by his husband, Robert Scott Stilson, and his sister, Juliane Wehmeyer Vogel of Texas.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and the theater community he loved.

 

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