Richard HUNGATE

Richard Wynne Hungate passed away at home in Spokane, WA, on September 21, 2022, with his family by his side after multiple heroic battles with cancer. He was born to C. Richard and Geraldine Hungate on November 22, 1934, in Palo Alto, CA, the first of their three children. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Jane Hungate, daughter Beth (John) Wallace, daughter Kay (Todd) Lowell, daughter Gerrie (Laurence) Hungate, son Rick Hungate, and grandchildren Kally, Amelia, Sarah, Tyler, Madeleine and great-granddaughters Elodie and Isla. No doubt Rich has been enthusiastically welcomed into heaven by his beloved first child, Helen (Mike) Spencer. In addition to his daughter Helen, he was predeceased by his sister Wynn Griffith and brother David Hungate.

Rich was raised in Los Angeles, then graduated from Pomona College, where he played football, was president of the Nu Alpha Phi fraternity, and served in ROTC. During the summer after his sophomore year, he met the love of his life, his most beloved Mary Jane, at Yosemite National Park, and they were married in 1956, the week before he graduated with a degree in mathematics. He also graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with an MBA in 1961.

First and foremost, Rich's passion and vocation were being a devoted, loving husband and father. After serving as a first lieutenant in the US Army as a code breaker for the Army Security Agency, he spent most of his career working for IBM in marketing, education, and corporate legal staff analysis. He finished his career as an assistant professor of business at Whitworth College.

Rich's second great love besides his family and many dear friends, was Priest Lake, ID, where he spent most summers as a child with his cousins, countless family vacations with MJ and kids, and then all of his summers in retirement with MJ.

He lived an active life playing tennis, running track, and playing baseball in high school, then playing football in college. He enjoyed hiking, boating, road trips, and running many long-distance races throughout his adult life, including his favorite race for several years: Bloomsday in Spokane. He was an avid reader of all subjects, especially history, science, business, and theology, and he enjoyed watching, coaching, and talking about sports, especially Cal football (Go Bears!). Rich was also a frequent blood donor, donating many gallons in his lifetime.

Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of this good man. We thank and praise God for the life of Rich Hungate! We love you and miss you so much, Dad.

According to his wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to your local blood bank or your favorite charity.