Dick Clairmont

1936 - 2024

DICK LOUIS CLAIRMONT
January 7, 1936 ˜ November 27, 2024

In deep sorrow, we share the news of the death of our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Dick Louis Clairmont. Dick died on Wednesday, Nov. 27, of a broken heart. He had lost the love of his life, Gail, to lung cancer in August of this year. He also had a history of circulation issues and his heart, finally, simply, just gave out. We are doubly bereft.

Dick was born on Jan. 7, 1936 in Moline, IL. He was the fourth child of Dorothy and Donald Clairmont. After his father died, his mother remarried and three more children were added to the family. Dick served in the Army from 1958 to 1960. He met his future wife, Gail, in 1957, and they were married for 62 years before she passed away. He worked on the Rock Island Railroad for a number of years, serving also as an officer of the local United Transportation Union chapter. He (supported by Gail) accomplished the incredible feat of earning an associate’s degree from Governor State University, while working full time, and parenting his children. He began working for the Federal Railroad Association in 1978, with a move to Billings, Montana, and retired from the agency as Regional Director in 2006 in Vancouver, WA. Dick and Gail nurtured a family that includes daughters Julie Donovan (Tom), Lisa Greseth (Tim), Beth Clairmont (Les), and son John Clairmont (Lisa). Daughter Bonnie Brookhart (Todd), “discovered” through the magic of DNA, added more love to the family. Grandchildren and great grandchildren loved dearly by Dick and Gail include Christopher, Emily, Elizabeth, Sarah, Connor, Katie, Milo, Cade, Megan, Lauren, Carolyn, Dash, Oliver, Levi, and Margot.

It is always hard to capture the whole of a life well and fully lived within a timeline. To know Dick was to be blessed with love and laughter, service and story. He loved life so dearly, and was so filled with the desire to learn more, experience more, love on his people more. Dick’s greatest love was Gail, and she was his greatest fan, protector, and playmate. Together, they made the world warmer, more interesting, and so much more fun. Theirs truly was a love story for the ages. She is no longer lost without him, he is no longer lost without her, and our greatest desire is to keep that abundance of love lighting the way, even as we are lost without them.

Dick was always questioning his relevance and meaning in these last years. We could never completely convince him that the love he gave us endlessly and generously was of more meaning than most humans ever get to experience.

Dad, papa, brother, uncle, friend - we will miss you every day.

We will celebrate Dick’s life Friday, Jan. 10, 4 - 7 P.M. (eulogy at 4:15 P.M.) in the ballroom at AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront (333 W Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA). All are welcome.
Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits