Richard Wayne BETTS

1934 - 2024

Richard Wayne Betts a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and a longtime resident of Medical Lake, Washington, passed away on January 9, 2024, after a brief illness. "Dick" as he was known to many in the community was born on February 8, 1934, in Oran, Iowa, to Earl and Esther Betts. He graduated from Oelwein High School and in June 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served during both the Korean War and Vietnam conflict, his duty assignments taking

him to Chanute AFB, IL; Wiesbaden AB Germany; RAF Chicksands Priory, England; Hickham AFB, HI; Korea, Vietnam, and lastly Fairchild AFB, WA where after 20 years serving his country, he retired. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a mechanic at the local gas station and then went on to work at the University of Washington National Primate Field Station in Medical Lake before finally retiring to a quiet life on the Silver Lake with his wife, Marilyn, son Luis and their beloved pets.

He loved hunting and fishing, reading, working on cars and all things to do with aviation, especially military aviation. He was a history buff and could recall historical events like they happened yesterday. Dick was active in the community and a long-time member of the Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn; parents, Earl and Esther Betts; sisters, Donna and Dorthy; brothers, Carl and Ralph; and his oldest son, Luke.

He leaves behind one brother, Ronald Betts (Chris); four children, Cindy DeMatteo (Bobby), Randall Betts (Darlene), Howard Raby (Cameron), and Luis; sixteen grandchildren, Brandy, Will, Samantha, Chris, David, Richard, Bobby, Aaron, Craig, Matt, Carrie, Savanna, Jessica, Henry, Danielle, and Jessica; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and his beloved dogs Sophie, Breeze and Dutchess.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 3-5 pm at the Cheney Funeral Chapel, 1636 W. 1st Street, Cheney, WA 99004. Internment with military honors will take place on January 18, 2024, at 11:15 at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery.