Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Richard "Butch" Dasher

1939 - 2009

BORN

1939

DIED

2009

Richard Dasher Obituary

On Sept. 27, 2009, Richard Dasher of Kelso passed away.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary; a brother, Jim Dasher of Salem; six children, Debbie Blum of Seaside, Ore., Ernie Dasher of Longview, Rhonda Dasher of Omak, Wash., Rick Dasher of Kelso, Cori Musick of Castle Rock and Megan Neves of Kelso; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest; and his mother, Elaine.

Richard was born April 11, 1939, in Longview and attended R. A. Long High School, where he played on the football team and wrestled.

He was married twice, first in 1957 to Charlene Fox and last, to Mary Beckstrom in 1975.

In 1978, he began working as an advertising representative with The Daily News and worked there until retiring. In 1994, Richard and Mary Dasher founded The Helping Hand, a non-profit charity that delivers food, clothing, and other services to the working poor of Southwest Washington. During the last 15 years The Helping Hand Ministry has brought food and hope to many families living on the edge and those affected by disasters. The ministry will continue.

Donation in Richard's memory may be made to The Helping Hand, P.O. Box 507, Winlock, WA 98596.

Richard will be greatly missed by his family and all those touched by his kindness.

A celebration of Richard's life will be held 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Winlock Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2660 Hwy 603.

Arrangements are by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.

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

Published by The Daily News on Oct. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dasher

19 Entries

Rhonda Dasher

October 18, 2009

Dad's memorial took place October 10th at the Winlock Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It was nice to see family and friends that had gathered to share in the memory of my father. My brother Rick and I were to give the eulogy but Rick had to get close to dad by fishing. I gave the eulogy and shared some stories about my father that my grandmother, his mother, used to tell me. Since the memorial was on the anniversary of her birthday I thought it was fitting. I could have told many stories about dad because we did alot of things with him through our childhood. We hiked, camped, fished, foraged for wild edibles, enjoyed nature and learned to appreciate the simple things in life. I learned many lessons from my father that I passed on to my children and now am passing on to my grandchildren.

Growing up I was often compared to my dad and I took that as a great compliment because I looked up to him and loved him with all my heart. He accomplished many things that helped the less fortunate and I want to continue that legacy as well. When I was about four or five, I remember in-gathering that we did and making up baskets of food that dad would deliver to families that were so happy and grateful that someone cared enough to make sure they had food for their family. Dad had a gift for lighting up a room with his presence. He was charismatic and was able to find the silver lining in the darkest of clouds.

I feel blessed that I was exposed to many different cultures and lifestyles when I was growing up as I am a more tolerant and understanding person for those experiences. I learned to embrace life and to express my emotions instead of hide everything. Dad and I would always say "I love you" after every phone call because we never knew if it would be the last.

As heavy as my heart is for the loss of such a great man I am extremely greatful that I had my father to give me tools for making this world a better place and I will do my best to share the light that my father gave to me.

Sheila Sanchez

October 16, 2009

I am sorry to hear of the loss of "Old Grandpa Rick." He was My Step Grandfather and I never got to know him as well as I should have, but I send we send our blessing to Mary and all of his Family through their loss.
Sincerely, The Sanchez Family. (Miguel, Sheila, Alyssa, and Micalina Sanchez).

October 16, 2009

I was so sorry to learn of the loss of your father. May the Lord comfort you all.
Blessings,
(Mrs.) Rev. Helen McKee

Harold Luhn

October 15, 2009

Greetings to you Mary, and all of Rick's family.

I was surprised to hear of Rick's passing and will miss him and his wit and smile. Jerry Crouse and I continued to have coffee once in awhile with Rick after we all retired.
Rick was always interesting and had a big heart for the unfotunate and the needy. I respected him for that.
I also enjoyed working with him at The Daily News. You always knew where you stood with Rick. He was honest and straight forward.
Mary, and family, I wish you well as you grieve for Rick and glad to see his work with Helping Hand will continue.
Hal

Debbie Blum

October 13, 2009

My father was a man of God in his later years, and made his share of mistakes early on in life. As we all do. Once he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he spent a lot of time in God's word allowing the truth to set him free and for the Lord to mold him and fulfill His purpose for his life. He was truly a light for the kingdom of God. My father is greatly missed but knowing I will see him in eternity is helping me to get through this difficult time. Dad's heart desire was that through living his life according to scripture that it would bring others to develope a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for serving the Lord Dad our last talk will forever be with me. Till I see you in Heaven Dad I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.
Debbie

Cori Musick

October 11, 2009

Dad came into my life when I was at the young age of 6 and my sister when she was a year and half. I felt so lucky to be loved and cared for by this wonderful man who stepped into our life. We were truly blessed to beable to call him our Dad. We had many adventures throughout our childhood traveling all over. Our Dad was always there for us. He treated my sister and I as if we were really his. It didnt make a difference to him that we werent blood. He was our Dad for 34 years, I couldnt ask for anything better. Our dad was a very caring, giving, and understanding man he would do just about anything to help someone else and not give it a second thought. I will truly miss our Dad

Larry Arterburn

October 10, 2009

Dear ronda,John and Mary. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you this day. We did not get to know Rick well, but We know that he helpedmany people and leaves a great legacy. Love Carolyn and Larry

Rhonda Dasher

October 10, 2009

I have added some pictures of Dad that I took when he came over to Omak and we went fishing and toured the Okanogan Valley. We had a great time and caught alot of fish. I had the best Dad ever. I loved every minute that I spent with him. He gave to many people and I got used to sharing him because that was just part of who he was. My Dad was much like my Grandfather because they both had a big heart, a great sense of humor and loved their family completely. I will miss him forever. He was my best friend after I became an adult and we had much fun together. There has been a great response from all of the people my father touched with his kindness. All of your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

The sage meister, Omak, Washington

October 10, 2009

Rhonda and Dad at Osoyoos Lake, Canada

October 10, 2009

The Helping Hand assisting flood victims

October 10, 2009

Dad with Lahontan at Omak Lake

October 10, 2009

Dad at Enloe Dam, Okanogan County

October 10, 2009

Trina Brown-Spitzer

October 7, 2009

sorry to hear about you family's loss... You are in my thoughts and prayers..

Karen (Griffith) Hoppen

October 7, 2009

Rick and family,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Genevieve Willeford-Barnes

October 6, 2009

I remember Butch from the Longview church and his leadership in the young peoples' organization. He loved the Lord and worked hard for others. We will see him again in Heaven!

Kelli Burrese

October 6, 2009

Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Butch threw his son Ernie.
The boys called him 'The Philosoper'.
Before long I too was calling him that.
His mind was never idol and he did make us think, not that we took the advise but we did think about it!
Thank you for sharing him for a blip moment in time. May your hearts be warm with the thoughts that he touched so many lives.

John McClelland

October 5, 2009

When I was a boy in grade school, I knew “Butch” Dasher only by reputation because he was a champion R.A. Long High School wrestler. To my surprise the man I met over 30 years later in 1978, was nothing like the “Butch” I’d imagined. By that time he had long since abandoned his nickname and was calling himself Rick. Here was a soft-spoken gentleman eager to make good as a Daily News advertising salesman.

I got to know Rick quite well because he handled the ad account for Cowlitz Cableview where I worked. I immediately liked and respected him, especially after he’d told me how he’d settled down and worked his way through Lower Columbia College. Stan Fagerstrom was the DN ad director then, and he told me that Rick had first asked if he could work in the ad department without pay just to get experience. Stan said he couldn’t do that but later hired him from the paper at Sand Point, Idaho. Rick proved to be not only hard working but creative when it came to designing ads.

He did well, was well liked, and had courage as well as character. I recall that when he was suffering from heart disease he adopted a strict vegetarian, cholesterol-free diet rather than go through open heart surgery. I’m sure that his founding of the Helping Hand is just one example of his giving spirit. Mary undoubtedly helped with this project, and I give her credit for being a loving and supportive wife throughout their marriage. And if I had a problem that I needed to talk to someone about, Rick always was willing to listen.

I could write more about him, but I think this is enough for the amount of space. Rick has touched many lives, and I’ll always treasure fond memories of him and his friendship.

My sincerest condolences to all.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results