Richard E. "Dick" Lyon

About

University of Washington Western Washington University

FUNERAL HOME

Westford Funeral Home & Cremation Service

1301 Broadway

Bellingham, Washington

Richard Lyon Obituary

The world lost a truly wonderful man recently when Dick passed peacefully in his sleep with beloved wife Karen at his side. Originally from Yakima, WA, Dick grew up with two brothers and one sister. He loved the outdoors at an early age and enjoyed hiking and climbing in the Cascades. He earned both a BS and MS in Engineering from UW, and was commissioned in the Navy in 1961. Soon after, the USS Vesole was his home where he spent nearly 18 months of two years at sea, playing an instrumental part in the Cuban Missile Crisis. After serving in the Navy, he worked several years at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. It was during this time he met his first wife Connie Phillips. They married in 1965 and moved to Bellingham. He attended WWU to earn a teaching degree, and immediately started teaching at Nooksack Valley High. They had two children together in the late 70's but divorced in 1981. He married Karen Melton in 1983 and they blended a wonderful family of five kids. After 32 years of teaching at Nooksack he retired, but still found himself teaching for almost seven additional years, several of which were at Yokota AFB in Japan. Finally retiring for good in 2005, he and Karen enjoyed their winters in AZ. They continued to hike, camp, and share their love of outdoors with friends and family. He was a devoted, quiet, kind and gentle man who enjoyed his time with family, being outdoors and seeing the world. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Lucy Lyon and brother Charlie. He is survived by his brother Tom, sister Margaret, wife Karen, daughters Birdena, Kim, Sarah, Jessica, and son Josh, along with 10 grandchildren. He will be missed by all, especially by those who called him Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa and Friend. Join us for a celebration of life at 11:00 am on April 21, 2018 at Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Rd., Bellingham. There will be light lunch and dessert following. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick's name may be made to your favorite charity. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Apr. 14, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Lyon

7 Entries

Kamakochi, Japan

Jim Fulmer

June 11, 2018

Sharon and I enjoyed sharing travel experiences with Yoko, John, Karen, and Dick. We met and shared travel experiences and holidays while teaching at Yokota High School in Japan. We were so sorry to hear of Dick's passing and wish to express to Karen and the family our heartfelt condolences.

Linda Littlefield

April 23, 2018

He was a wonderful teacher. I enjoyed a trip to the Grand Canyon for a spring break. A good man.

Sharon Pelfrey

April 20, 2018

I was really sick last December. Karen called and said Dick had just made a big pot of soup and did I want some. I was so hungry and it was so good. I was so grateful. Just one of many ways that Dick gave of himself to others and to the community.

April 18, 2018

What a great life! Dick's UW NROTC "1961 grads send our condolences on this great loss. We are so glad we were able to see and share memories with him at our 55th reunion in 2016.

Scott Nunamaker

April 17, 2018

So sorry to hear about the loss of a truly great guy. I learned more science from him than I did in college. He was my mentor as we taught together for many years. I still teach some lessons that he taught me just out of the respect I have for him. I have so many fond memories from all of our trips to San Francisco. He was a fun, clever, cutting edge guy. He will be missed and forever a part of how I teach. My prayers are with you Karen and to the entire family.

LaVon Hadeen (Judd)

April 16, 2018

Mr Lyons was the kindest teacher ever, and funny too! One time he was preparing a concoction of something he mixed together and wanted to show the class what would happen if he blew oxygen using a straw into the substance. As he blew, he inhaled and the liquid shot up through the straw, singing his mustache and turning it red! I still have a black and white 5 x 7 photo he took of me, my 1st day of freshmen year. Always think of him so fondly!
Rest In Peace and comfort to his loved ones.

Dave Nasman

April 14, 2018

Dick was a kind, gentle and friendly man.
May God's blessing be on the family in this time of loss.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results