Dr. Richard A. Wendt

Dr. Richard A. Wendt

Dr. Richard A. Wendt passed away suddenly August 2, 2007, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA, after a recent diagnosis of cancer. He was 67 years old. Dr. Wendt was born February 22, 1940, in Everett, WA. After graduating from Everett High School in 1958, he continued his education at Washington State University (BS, 1962), University of Washington Dental School (DDS, 1966), and the University of Washington (Orthodontics, 1971). He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Social Fraternity at WSU and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honorary at the University of Washington.
Dr. Wendt served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1968, serving with the Third Marine Division in Vietnam and later at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA. He began his orthodontics practice in Everett in 1971 and closed his practice in 2004.
Throughout his life, Dick was committed to community, civic, and cultural affairs in his hometown of Everett and beyond. He served as a member and chairman of the Everett Planning Commission and Southwest Planning Study; was a member of the Port of Everett North Marina Study and Everett Shoreline Management Program, and served as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Board of Directors, and as chairman of the Everett Parks Commission.
Possessed of a true passion for the arts, Dick was chairman of the committee responsible for the creation of the Everett Arts Commission and Everett's One Percent for Art Program. He served as a member and chairman of the Everett Cultural Commission and established the Richard A. Wendt Endowment for the Arts. In his honor, the city of Everett created the "Richard A. Wendt Award," given annually to the local citizen whose efforts contribute most significantly to the arts.
During the course of a career and practice that extended more than three decades, Dick was a member of the Snohomish County Dental Society, the Orthodontic Seminar, the Puget Sound Study Club, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists, and was a past president of the Washington State Society of Orthodontists.
An avid gardener, Dick was the recipient of the Monte Cristo Award from the City of Everett and the "Order of Merit" from the Everett Arboretum Society. He loved spending time at his second home in Arizona during the winter, and derived much enjoyment from traveling extensively with family and close friends.
Dick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy Elizabeth (Vitalich), of Chula Vista, CA; daughters, Lisa Marie (Craig Wallach), of Phoenix, AZ, Anne Nicole (Orien Yeckley) ,of Arlington WA, and Lauren Elizabeth, of Everett, WA; and grandchildren, Cadin, Tristan, and Ava Yeckley, of Arlington, WA. He is also survived by his brother, Bob and wife, Lois, of Huntsville, AL; cousin, Mary Beth Morris, of Grapeview, WA; and cousin, Donald Wendt and wife, Ruth, of Woodland, WA.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Louis A. and Lucy D. Wendt. He was an amazing father, husband, and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Special thanks goes out to the Nurses and Doctors who took such extraordinary care of Dick at Swedish Hospital in the Neuro-I.C.U. and let him pass with dignity.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence, presented by the City of Everett Cultural Arts Commission. Contributions should be made out to the Greater Everett Community Foundation/Richard Wendt Award, P.O. Box 5549, Everett, WA 98206. Additional contributions may be made to the Everett Parks Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at Everett First Baptist Church, 1616 Pacific Ave.
Celebration of Dick's life will follow from 1:30 - 4:30, at the Everett Golf & Country Club. Private family interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Purdy & Walter with Cassidy Funeral Home, Everett.