Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Richard W. Lapointe

About

University of Maine University of Rhode Island

FUNERAL HOME

Heritage Funeral & Cremation

508 North Government Way

Spokane, Washington

Richard Lapointe Obituary

LAPOINTE,
Richard W.
"Rick"
(Age 56)

After a long fought battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Rick Lapointe passed away on March 3rd.
He will be remembered as a great husband and father. Friendships were highly valued as he greatly enjoyed the company of his many friends. A dedicated and hard worker, Rick worked for 14 years at Burroughs Welcome in North Carolina. He was leader and a visionary at Hollister-Stier in Spokane for 12 years. He also made contributions to the following organizations: Difco Labs (Sun Prairie, WI) OsoBio Pharmaceuticals (Albuquerque, NM) and Catalent Pharma Solutions (Woodstock,IL).
Education was always paramount to Rick. He was a Pharmacy graduate from the University of Rhode Island and a math major at the University of Maine. The "Rick Lapointe, R.Ph Scholarship Fund" has been set up in his name through the West Valley Education Fund. This scholarship is to assist students who have lost a parent to cancer.
Left behind are his wife, Janet of 28 years; his son William; his parents Charlie and Marie Lapointe of Lewiston, ME; brothers Bernie, Ray and Mike of New England; and in-laws Jack and Imogene Jordan of Charlotte, NC. Rick was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lisa Michelle.
A gathering for family and friends will be held at the family home Wednesday, 5-8 PM. Memorial Service 3:00 PM, Thursday, March 10th at Heritage Chapel and a Memory Box will be available for photos and other memories of Rick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.lls.org or Hospice of Spokane in Rick's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Lapointe

22 Entries

Kathleen Ann Lapointe

February 28, 2025

ALWAYS MISSING YOU, RICKY!BEN, KATHY, MIKE & FAMILY, AIMEE & FAMILY.

Bernard & Kathleen Lapointe

February 28, 2023

Still missing you, Ricky. We know you're looking down at your beautiful grandchildren!
Ben & Kathy

Ambrish Vyas

July 2, 2020

God bless his soul! Rick was a lot of fun to work with! I was with him in pRDL

Kathleen Lapointe

February 29, 2020

Ricky, we never forget you. We know that you are looking down upon your new granddaughter! Everyone will make certain that she comes to know you from our shared stories and photos. Love, your brother Bernie and sister-in-law Kathy.

Derek Lancashire

February 28, 2019

I continue to think of Rick often, especially while running. Poor Rick who was an experienced runner and was often my running partner, had to endure my constant complaining while on long runs. I was always rewarded at the end of these runs however by having a couple of beers with Rick which gave me a chance to enjoy his great company.

Aimee Gath

February 28, 2019

Miss you always uncle Ricky! I still cant pour a glass of red wine and not think of you and our time spent together the summer before your passing. I was glad that we made that trip. Until we meet again....❤❤❤ Your beloved Niece, Aimee

Kathleen Lapointe

February 28, 2019

We think of Rick so often and talk about him, as we remember wonderful times together. He was a wonderful brother, son, husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many. Love to Janet and William.

Derek Lancashire

January 14, 2013

Janet I just found out today about Ricks passing, I am so so sorry I did not reach out to Rick over the last three years. I was always going to call or email but never got around to it although I thought of him often. Rick was an incredible mentor to me when I worked for him in Sun Prairie and always a great friend. Although we did not speak often whenever I saw or spoke to Rick it was like we had talked yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with you I am so sorry for your loss.

July 27, 2012

I am very sad to learn of the passing of my dear friend Rick, who was my roommate and housemate of two years while at URI. I remember fondly my many 1-on-1 hoop games with Rick and the laughs we shared with Doug, David and Nelson! He was a great friend to me and will be long remembered.

Jay Blazensky

David Preble

March 13, 2011

Janet and William,
I was a college friend of Rick's at URI. Being a year behind him in pharmacy school and also from Maine, he kind of took me under his wing in my first year and we became great friends. My next 2 years we shared the same floor in Fayerweather Hall with several other friends of Rick and shared some great times that I'll never forget. I am so sorry to learn of Rick's passing and sorry that I had not kept in touch since you have been out in Spokane. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I'll always cherish those college memories.

Nelson Burbank

March 12, 2011

My wife Joanne and I are deeply saddened by Rick's passing. We both had the pleasure and honor of meeting and getting to know Rick in the early 80's while we were studying at the University of Rhode Island. Although time had passed and we had gone our separate ways, Rick will always be remembered as a good friend and a great person. His passing has left a void but our memories of his smiling face and fun times together will always remain strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rick and his family. Rest in peace Rick.

Joanne and Nelson

Tim Davis

March 10, 2011

I'm are so sorry to hear about Rick's passing, he was a great man. I had the good fortune to be touched by Rick's leadship and teaching while working for HS/Bayer. His focus on leadership and adding value made him extremely respected by everyone who knew him. The following are just a few philosophies that he thoroughly embedded into my fabric as a person, and are things I now preach today.
-Focus on supporting the success of others. You can't succeed unless you help others succeed first.
-Be technically competent. Strive to learn more than just your direct area of responsibility.
-Communicated in a language that is understandable at the appropriate level.
-Be willing to take risks and learn from mistakes, and make decisions!
-Provide options and solutions to problems
-Simplify the complex
-Pay attention when someone is talking about something unrelated to you because it may be related in the future.
I will always remember him for his strength, passion and love of sprots. My thought and prayers are with you.

Randy Doiron

March 8, 2011

To Rick's Family

My name is Randy Doiron. I was a high school friend of Rick. We had great times playing football together and having a good time in english class keeping our teacher on her toes! Rick was a great friend. Very generous and caring. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and my prayers are with you at this sad time. Peace to you, Randy Doiron

Linda Coates

March 8, 2011

To the family of Rick LaPointe

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of my cousin and your loved one. I'm sending you a hug from afar

Linda Coates Jay ME

March 7, 2011

We were very sad to hear of Rick passing away. We have fond memories of our days in NC where we all worked and played in our younger years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet, William, and the extended families.
John and Sue Ludwig

Joan Sharpless

March 7, 2011

I am so very sad at hearing of the loss of Rick. If there is anything I can do to ease your loss, please don't hesitate to call on me. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and William......

Chris Sebranek

March 7, 2011

I was deeply saddened to hear of Rick's passing. I reported to Rick while he was Director of Operations at DIFCO in Sun Prairie, WI. Rick helped my family tremendously through writing a letter of recommendation for our adoption of our oldest daughter, Emily and for writing a letter of recommendation for me to attend the University of Wisconsin for a Masters in Biotechnology. I was so excited last summer to have him join the Catalent team (I currently work at the Catalent Middleton, WI site). I will always remember how much he helped me. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

March 7, 2011

Bernie,

We are so sorry to hear about your brother's passing.

Love,

Larry & Pris

David Moyer

March 7, 2011

I was overcome by sadness when I received the news of Rick's passing yesterday. Rick and I first met when he joined Burroughs Wellcome in the 1980s. Rick was a manager in the Sterile Products Division at that time. I quickly gained respect for Rick as a man of integrity and someone who was always well prepared. I also admired his stamina as demonstrated by his frequent entry into major marathon races.

We reconnected about 5 years ago when I worked with several clients at Hollister-Stier. It was great to see how successful Rick had become. In my opinion, he had a level of greatness equal to that of Scott Niedermayer whose picture hung on Rick's office wall showing Niedermayer holding up the Stanley Cup on top of a mountain in British Columbia. Now Rick has bravely climbed the mountain of life.

My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones today. I am a better person for having the opportunity to know him.

David Moyer

March 7, 2011

We were saddened to hear of Rick's passing. My family and I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Rick last summer while Rick was visiting with his brother, Bernie. What a wonderful and brave man. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The Gath Family

JC Londrie

March 7, 2011

It was my pleasure to be the Executive Administrative Assistant to Rick at Catalent for the short time he was here. I wish I could have known him longer.Please accept my deepest condolences and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
JC Londrie

March 6, 2011

We will miss you so very much. What a blessing for the treasured memories we have of our time spent with you. Brother Bernie, sister-in-law Kathy, nephew Michael and wife Maura and son Matthew, niece Aimee and fiance Phil Gath. We love you, Janet & William.

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results