Richard Leigh Thiessen

I am Richard's oldest sister and I remember him as a gentle child. I don't think I ever saw him doing unkind things or saying unkind words to anyone. As he grew into a young man, he continued to be soft spoken and easy going. In midlife he developed Huntington's Disease, and yet I never heard him complain about his illness. He was more than willing to participate in research studies that could help someone else down the road, even if they might not help him. I will always remember his gentle...

I talked to Dorothy about Remembering Richard. She remembers his being a lively squirmy 3-yr-old in an easy chair in Grandparents Thiessen's living room. Another early indicater: here was a young man ON THE GO.

Dorothy and I have also talked about her sister-in-law Marcia and husband Yuval stopping in at Harold's and Marie's in Snohomish, and Richard teaching Yuval, a Yemenite, how to dance the Yemenite!

Muriel T. Stackley

Richard was about three when I snapped a photo of him holding up a magnifying glass to his eye. Of course his eye was huge in his little face. I see that as an early indicator of his inquisitiveness: by gum, he was going to see EVERYTHING there was to see.

Muriel T. Stackley

As folkdancers, our family enjoyed Richard's friendship for about twenty years. He was always a pleasasnt person and a patient teacher. We'll always remember his after dancing parties in his Pullman apartment with several ice cream flavors and a big assortment of toppings. The evening never ended until a major world event was thoroughly discussed or his acquisition of several new educational books had been gone through. Our group will continue to remember his contribution.
...

richard was a very caring and loving guy he would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him he hjad a good since of humor he loved life.he had a lot of love for the underdog.he was avery special friend and i am going to miss him dearly

I learned many dances from Richard in Pullman, and was inspired by his dedication to dance, and his kindness. My thoughts are with his family.

A more joyuful dancer I've never met. Surely Richard is dancing in heaven.

I am so sorry to hear about Richard's passing. I remember him from Snohomish High School. I enjoyed debating with him in the school library. I remember him as an incredibly intelligent boy - with an awesome sense of humor. My prayers are with you.

We miss such a great dancer and teacher.
Margaret & Martin