RICHARD LEON NOWADNICK

1923 - 2011

Richard L. Nowadnick, 88, died at his home in Burlington on November 20, 2011. He was born July 3, 1923 in Chehalis, Washington to Bill and Hermine Nowadnick. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Chehalis High School in 1941.

Dick attended Washington State University and, in 1943, was drafted into the US Army, where he was a sergeant in the 1st Army, 661 Tank Destroyer Battalion. His unit was sent to the European theatre, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, helped open up the gates of Buchenwald, and met the Russian Army at the Elbe River in Torgau, Germany.

After the war, Dick returned to Washington State University, graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1948 and later a Masters degree in 1968.

In 1946, he married Jean Noteboom of Lynden, Washington. They moved to the Skagit Valley in 1951 where he had a one-year position teaching agriculture at Sedro Woolley High School.

In 1952, Dick began a long association with Skagit Valley College, first teaching agriculture and biology (and many other classes including welding) for 25 years and then serving as Dean of Instruction for five years until his retirement in 1982.

Skagit Valley College dedicated the Dick Nowadnick Botanical Garden to him in 1984 and, in 1994, he was inducted into the Skagit Valley College Hall of Fame.

During retirement, Dick led educational tours for the college for ten years, traveling throughout North America and Europe. He touched many lives during his 40 years of active involvement with the College and was gratified to be remembered by many students, faculty and friends.

Dick was Secretary-Treasurer of the Northwest Bulb Growers Association for 40 years and of the Washington State Bulb Commission for 36 years.

He also was a longtime member of the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and of Kiwanis. He was well known for barbecuing salmon at events at Skagit Valley College and the Presbyterian Church, and for the Kiwanis at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Jean passed away at their Mount Vernon home in 1992. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Howard Hanford of Fort Benton, Montana; son and daughter-in-law Jim and Carolyn Nowadnick of Bainbridge Island; and daughter and son-in-law Karen and Sid Tiemersma of Mount Vernon; and brother Bill Nowadnick of Mount Vernon; grandchildren Carrie (John) Paquette, Brent (Jessica) Hanford, Beth Nowadnick, Peter Nowadnick, Jason (Carole) Leander, Jeff Leander and Sydney Tiemersma, and great-grandchildren Kylie and Cameron Paquette and McKenna and Brock Hanford.

In 1994, he married Vera Rose Jackson of Burlington, where they resided. They enjoyed their home, gardening, traveling together and being with their families.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Vera Nowadnick of Burlington; and her children Delmar (Renee) Jackson of Kettle Falls; Donna (John) Youngquist of Mount Vernon, and her grandchildren Brian, Jeff and Heidi Sather; Chad and Todd Jenkins; and Shannon Stephens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, and Vera's daughter Diane Jenkins.

Memorial services will be held at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Skagit Valley College Foundation (c/o Richard Nowadnick Life Sciences Scholarship Fund, 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273) or Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation (M/S S-200, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005).