Richard Gordon Marquardt Sr.

Richard Gordon Marquardt Sr.

Richard (Dick) Gordon Marquardt Sr. passed away peacefully on August 9, 2012 with loving family at his bedside. Dick was born at home in Coeur d'Alene Idaho to George Marquardt and Ethel Kernkamp on June 8, 1922. His parents divorced before he was two years old. He and his older brother Fred were raised by his mother, maternal aunt, and grandparents in Hayden Lake, Idaho. They had an idyllic childhood playing in the woods and lake shores of northern Idaho with their cousins and extended family.

Dick moved to Seattle with his mother and brother in late childhood. He attended Lincoln and Queen Anne High Schools. He met Elizabeth (Beth) Reinders at a local dance when he was 18 years old. After two years of dating, they married on December 16, 1943. Dick attended the University of Washington were he participated in the ROTC program. He was activated and sent to Officer's Candidates School and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he worked for many years at Watson-Hall Heating Oil Company which was later purchased by Humble Oil. Dick then worked as a regional sales manager until he began his career as a public servant. He served in the Washington State Senate for one term in 1967 and was later appointed to the position of Director of the Selective Service . He served as the Washington State Insurance Commissioner for four terms from 1977 to 1993. He continued to work as a consultant until well into his 80's.

Dick and Beth made their home on Haller Lake where they lived for nearly 60 years. They raised three children in this close knit community, who attend Haller Lake Elementary School, Jane Adams and Thompson Junior Highs, and Ingraham High school and went on to attend colleges in Washington State. Dick was active in many community organizations such as the North Seattle Little League, North Seattle Kiwanis Club, Haller Lake Community Club, and the Republican Party. Dick was an avid golfer. He hosted a golf tournament, "The Marquardt Fly Open", for over 30 years. He belonged to the Olympia Country Club for many years. He loved the game of baseball starting with coaching his son Rick in Little League and was proud to have built a family legacy of successful college and professional athletes. He was the "all time pitcher" during competitive and boisterous family wiffle ball games where he got quite a kick from striking out his strapping grandsons.

Dick was the beloved patriarch of his large family. He was a devoted and proud husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather. In his retirement, Dick and Beth spent considerable time at the grandchildren's sporting and extracurricular events and traveled great distances to be part of the fun. They enjoyed traveling and Dick marked his travels by the people he met along the way. He and Beth had many friends and acquaintances with whom Dick kept in weekly contact. They enjoyed hosting family and friends at their home on Haller Lake where they made everyone feel welcome. Dick was quite a story teller and always had a joke to share and a song to sing.

He is survived by his large and loving family that includes his wife of 68 years, Beth, son Dr. Richard Marquardt Jr (Nancy), daughters Lynne Holm (Greg) and Leslie Keller; his beloved dog Wally; grand children Karen Brennan (Tim), Andrew Marquardt (Giana), Jennifer Klauss (Kevin), Ryan Marquardt (Kim), Tyler Marquardt, Tizbee Holm, Steven Marquardt, and Graham Keller; Great Grandchildren Rikki Toeynan-Brennan, Nicolas Brennan, Michael Brennan, Taylor Smith-Brennan, Macy Marquardt, T.J. Marquardt, Sammy Marquardt; Great/Great Granddaughter Eternity Enis; and niece Nancy Marquardt. He is preceded in death by his brother Fred Marquardt, and his son-in-law, Michael Keller.

He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, hard work, humor, unconditional love, and pure enjoyment of the good things in life. He will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Dad, you were "Unforgettable."

"He has achieved success, who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty, or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life was an inspiration and whose memory a benediction."

The family wishes to thank Dr Tuong T. Michael Nguyen of Eye Associates N.W. for his compassionate and expert medical care while successfully treating Dick's macular degeneration for many years and the staff at Foss Village for their kind and concerned care the past several months.

A private gathering will be held at a later date.

Remembrances to the charity of your choice.