Richard Melburn "Dutch" MIEDEMA

1936 - 2023

September 8, 1936 – April 20, 2023

"The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal"

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Richard (Dutch) Melburn Miedema, was born Walter Melburn Bloom (from Naomi Bloom) in Detroit, Michigan, on September 8th, 1936, and passed away from pancreatic cancer at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington, on April 20th, 2023. True to form, Dutch did it HIS way and opted to leave us quickly and in a 'blaze of glory'. Thought to be invincible by those closest to him, he said to himself, "We all come to the end of the road" and "I've lived the best life".

As the oldest child of Gerben and Ann (Beumer) Miedema, he moved from Detroit to Spokane in the mid-1940s. The Miedema's had previously fallen in love with Spokane for its beautiful scenery and small-town feel. Gerben said it was the perfect place to raise a family and start a business, which is exactly what he did.

Dutch attended Bemiss Elementary at age 10, followed by Havermale Junior High, and finally North Central High School. Although he didn't officially graduate, he attended every reunion for the Class of '55. At age 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Private Miedema graduated boot camp in 1954 (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA) and received orders to Okinawa, Japan. After two years overseas serving as a logistics specialist, Private First Class Miedema completed his active-duty commitment and remained a reservist until May 1962, receiving an honorable discharge.

Dutch returned home to his beloved Spokane and began working as a salesman and eventual co-owner of Universal Engine Heater Company. That same year his father, then CEO of the company, invented and subsequently received a United States Patent for a cooling system auxiliary heater in 1956.

Dutch married twice. First to Carla Thorn (Libby, Montana), mother to Rick, and second to Beverly Lockinger (Drumheller, AB, Canada), mother to Cory and Xanthe.

The 'Dutchman', or 'Legend', as known by his circle of friends, lived life to the fullest while pursuing activities that brought joy and adventure. Climbing Mt. Rainer (to impress a girl), participating in the No Alibi downhill ski race at Mt. Spokane, Heli Skiing in Canada, attending multiple Sturgis rallies on his Harley Davidson, and racing his sports car (or even his '72 El Camino he named Tizzy Lish) against all challengers. Dutch was known as a 'Mountain Man' having commuted from the Snowbird Condos, Mt. Spokane, to his office in Spokane every weekday for over 20 years.

One of the first rescue-trained Ski Patrolmen at Schweitzer Mountain opening year, 1963, he trained the ski patrol on the use of a rescue toboggan donated by Mt. Spokane and led the first team assists when an injured skier needed transport off the face.

Other joys throughout Dutch's life included: passing down family stories, recounting the history of the local area, downhill skiing, camping, boating, swing dancing, dirt bike riding with the 'Brush Club', entering his 1968 Convertible Corvair in various car shows to include Lost in the '50s (Sandpoint, ID) and Road Kings (Nelson, B.C.), single-track mountain bike riding from the Vista House down Mt. Spokane (before it was a thing') which ended with Huckleberry Pancakes at then, Kirks Lodge; visiting favorite food establishments, waitresses, and listening to his favorite local musicians.

Thanks to an inquisitive mind (daughter Cory) and Ancestry.com, Dutch found his 'new' biological family in May of 2019. It meant a great deal meeting his sisters, and their families, and knowing where he came from. He and his youngest sister developed a close bond over the next few years. He nicknamed her 'baby sis' and the two kept in close contact.

'The Dutchman' was a gregarious individual who will be remembered for his contagious, high-spirited laugh. He was proud of his children and thankful for their success. He was a loyal friend to many.

Dutch is survived by his son, Richard (Rick) Gardner; daughter, Xanthe Rivera (Ray); granddaughter, Sari Ashbaugh (Skyler); granddaughter, Kayla Meyer (Daniel); grandson, Benicio Rivera; great-grandchildren, Hughett, Halle, Molly, Jona, and Tyson; his sisters, Joyce Wolfe (Gilbert) and Linda Lupescu (Mitch); niece, Sheryl Peterson (Eric); as well as extended family, and lifelong friends.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Cory Miedema; and his sisters, Janet Langley and Ellen Kinnick, and lifelong friends.

Memorial service and urn burial will be held June 2nd at 10:30 am, Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley Avenue, Spokane.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

-Hunter S. Thompson