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Richard Mate Obituary
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A 1993 graduate of Pocono Mountain High School, Rick enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a Military Police Officer (95B10). During his military career, he completed tours in Bosnia and Herzegovina (RSE-IFOR), Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and Seoul, Korea. He was highly skilled and decorated in areas including combat medicine, mechanical operations, and expert-level weapons and explosives handling. Among his most cherished experiences was the month he spent in Belgium on his journey to Bosnia.
Rick met his soulmate, Misty, while both were stationed on active duty at Fort Stewart. They married on October 19, 1995, in Hinesville, Georgia.
In 2008, Rick and his family relocated to Forks, Washington. He served as a Correctional Sergeant, Armorer, and First Aid Instructor at Olympic Correctional Center. In January 2019, he became the Roster Program Coordinator but continued to instruct in firearms training-something he was deeply passionate about.
Rick lived life to the fullest and loved his family with all his heart. He had a deep dedication to his role as an Armorer and found joy in teaching his friends and loved ones how to safely and skillfully handle and maintain firearms.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Misty; his parents, Richard Sr. and Mary Mate; his brothers, Joseph (Heather) and Christopher (Kerrianne) Mate; his children, Ravon (Jacey) Mate and Alisha (Jonathan) Trainor; his favorite nephew, Logan Mate, and his cherished granddaughter, Leila Trainor.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love and support shown by the Forks and Quileute communities during this difficult time.
Viewing Services will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel
105 West 4th Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
William Kinney, Jr.
June 19, 2025
I'm so very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. It's been years since I've seen him at family gatherings back home in the Bucks area. But I remember him as a great kid, and I've heard about the good man he became. My deepest sympathies to his family.
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