Richard James "Dick" Feek Jr.

Richard "Dick" James FEEK, Jr. "Captain of his own Ship" Richard J. Feek, Jr. was a Bremerton pioneer who lived all of his ninety years on the waterways and byways of his beloved hometown. He was a business owner, a civic leader, an elected official, and an avid yachtsman and fisherman. Born September 23, 1917, Dick was raised in Manette and graduated from Bremerton High School. As a young man, he participated in DeMolay, ran around with his Active Club buddies, and earned his Eagle Scout Award atop Mount Constance. Dick walked across the Manette Bridge on the official opening day of the "new bridge" in 1930. During World War II, Dick joined the Merchant Marine, serving on the "Mosquito Fleet," traveling up and down the Pacific coast. He lost his heart to a girl from Central Valley and married Gladys Anderson during wartime. Together, they raised two children in Manette. After the war, Dick founded Feek's Service Station, then added Feek's Oil Company, and went on to launch Aaberg and Feek Auto Parts with his lifelong friend Carl Aaberg. During these years, he served as President of Bremerton Rotary, was a lifelong member of POE, and was selected as a member of the Bremerton Planning Commission. Known to the Bremerton Yacht Club as the skipper of the Daltonia and the Escape, Dick was never far from the water all of his life. As skipper, he won two "Heavy Weather Races" for the Bremerton Yacht Club. After retiring from his business, a new phase of his life began as an elected official. Dick served for two successful terms as Port Commissioner from 1988 until 2000. Under his leadership, the Port won a number of grants, resulting in the re-building of the ports of Bremerton and Port Orchard. His later years were spent quietly and peacefully reading and reminiscing at his home on Oyster Bay, and then at his home at BayPointe Retirement Community. Dick's family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at BayPointe and also the staff at Harrison Hospital, for their humanity in dealing with his last years, and for allowing him to retain his independent spirit until the end. Richard is survived by his son Jim and daughter-in-law Kathy, of Kirkland WA, and daughter Ann and son-in-law Tim Olson, also his business partner at Aaberg and Feek, of Bremerton WA. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Dr.Ty Olson and Susan, of Fair Haven NJ, Garrett Feek and Masha, of Astoria NY, Beth Sutro and Stephen, of San Francisco CA, Gavin Feek of Santa Monica CA and Grant Feek of Cambridge MA. His three great-grandchildren are Oliver and Hugh Olson and Anderson Sutro. He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys in 2006. A private internment with family has taken place this week, with arrangements by Miller Woodlawn. A Civic Memorial will be held this summer at the Bremerton Waterfront Park and Marina. Remembrances may be made to: The Dick Feek Memorial Fund (Waterfront Beautification) c/o Port of Bremerton 8850 SW State Hiway 3 Port Orchard, WA 98367