Obituary of Donald Ray Richart

Donald Ray Richart Donald Richart died Thursday, July 7, 2011 with his family at his side in Olympia, WA. On Sunday July 10, friends and family gathered to celebrate his life at his “favourite nature sanctuary”--the backyard at his home. Don was born December 5, 1936 in Hood River, OR to Dorr and Mary (Walker) Richart. He spent his early years in Longview, WA, where he met and married Judy Chaucey, and graduated from R.A. Long HS. He entered the Army in 1955 where he trained as an X-Ray Technologist. He would remain in the medical field for a lifetime. After leaving the military in early 1958, he studied at the Univ. of WA with plans to attend medical school, and worked for a time at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. The rigors of school, work and the responsibility of a growing family led him to accept a position at Morton General Hospital where he spent the next 22 years as manager of the X-Ray Department, and where he and Judy raised four children. They divorced in 1981. He was an active member of the Morton Lion’s Club and volunteered his time for various civic and hospital events. He was an avid angler, and spent family time fishing, and picking huckleberries, mushrooms and cones to fund family trips to the fair and other events. Don married Kathy (Cooper) Curry in 1989. They moved to northern CA in 1984 and resided in Davis and Dixon, CA for 13 years. He worked at the Univ. of CA Medical Center in Sacramento, and later at Sutter Davis Hospital as the X-ray Dept. Manager until his retirement to the San Diego area in 1998. The events of September 11, 2001 and the desire for proximity to family brought them back to WA the next year. Don’s interests were varied and many-from sports (especially football) to space (black holes), and he was a lover of all things nature. He read extensively, and watched every historical and nature documentary available. He and Kathy travelled until he was no longer able; his last major trip—paradise to a nature lover—was a cruise through the Inland Passage to Alaska in perfect weather. Don is survived by his wife Kathy, at home; three sons, Dale, Steven and Daniel; a daughter, Teresa “Terri” (Barry) Armstrong; two step-daughters, Alicia Curry and Erin (Brian) DeWeese; sister-in-law, Francis Richart; 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His parents and brother, Carl, preceded him in death. Donations may be sent to the Smithsonian Institution, the American Lung Assn. or a charity of your choice. Please leave memories of Don or condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.