RICHARD E. "DICK" FALLIS

1926 - 2011

Richard (Dick) E. Fallis, 84, of La Conner, WA died January 20, 2011 at La Conner Retirement Inn with family at his side.

Richard was born January 31, 1926 in Indiana moving to Washington State at the age of two.

He served with the Navy in the Pacific during World War II followed by a career teaching High School and College level History and English.

He married Bernice Levitsky on December 30, 1956.

His taught at Granite Falls High School in the 1960's igniting his passion for local history. He produced the Puget Sound Mail newspaper in La Conner from 1973 - 1979 serving as well as the Historian/Memorialist for the Skagit County Pioneer Association, a position he held until 2006.

The next 30 years Dick was involved with: Skagit County Historical Society and Museum as Trustee & President; Coordinator of the year long Skagit County Centennial Celebration in 1983; charter member of Skagit Valley Friends Meeting as Clerk; officer of La Conner Rotary; La Conner American Legion Post; charter member of La Conner Landmarks from which he played a major role in the 1970's getting La Conner on the National Register of Historical Places and helped save the Gaches Mansion.

He produced many books on local history including "Amid Fields of Alyssum: A Year at Northern State". Dick wrote countless historical columns for the Skagit Valley Herald in the 1980's and the Skagit Argus in the 1990's. He promoted and acquired funding for monuments which included the Samish Indian story pole, "Maiden of Deception Pass", the River Jam Memorial and the Jasper Gates Father of Mount Vernon statue. He was also known as the "Breadman of Mount Vernon" baking and selling bread at the Mount Vernon Condensery building and later local markets.

He is survived by his children: Josh Fallis, Sarah Pate, Leah Ludtke and their families and his brother Jim Fallis.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Mount Vernon Senior Center at 1401 Cleveland St, from 4PM to 6PM with bread fresh baked made from his recipes by his children. His ashes will be spread at Deception Pass.

Donations can be made in the name of Dick Fallis to: Skagit County Historical Society in La Conner to help underwrite an upcoming book from the society collecting his historical writings to be published in 2011.