Richard Carl Uhlmann

November 7, 1911 - March 29, 2002Local business and community leader, Richard Carl Uhlmann, passed away Friday, March 29th of age-related causes at the age of 90.Mr. Uhlmann was born in Centralia on November 7, 1911 to Carl and Martha Uhlmann. He was the youngest of four children and an avid athlete. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1929, lettering in basketball, baseball, and track. He went on to the University of Washington where he earned varsity letters baseball in 1931 and 1932. He was also a very active member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, serving as Chapter President in 1932. He remained a loyal UW alumnus and Husky fan for the rest of his life. He was an excellent golfer and most proud to have been invited by Bing Crosby to play in the Bing Crosby Pro Am Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach for six straight years, from 1956-61.In 1936, he married Jean McNaughton, whom he met when they were both students at the University of Washington. The couple lived in Seattle until 1945. In that year they moved to Chehalis when Mr. Uhlmann purchased St. John Motors and founded Uhlmann Motors, which was incorporated to sell Ford, Lincoln and Mercury automobiles. In 1969, he purchased about eight acres along Interstate 5 in Chehalis and constructed the buildings for Uhlmann Ford Center, where the business continues today under the able leadership of President George Godding. In the late 1980s, he acquired a Toyota franchise and in 1990 an RV Center. In 1995, Uhlmann Motors celebrated its 50th year anniversary as a single owner Ford dealership and was so honored by the Ford Motor Company. He was a long time member of the National Ford Dealers Council as well as the Ford Dealers Advertising Association.In addition to his business activities, he was very involved in his community. He was a 50-year member and past president of Rotary and a long time member of the Elks. He was a director of the Chehalis Chamber of Commerce from 1947 to 1949. He also served on the Board of Evergreen Federal Savings and Loan (now Sterling Savings) from 1956 to 1982, serving several years as Chairman of the Board. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Mason Foundation in Seattle, and of the Board of Directors of Moduline International, Inc. out of Lacey.In addition to his ardent support of UW athletics, he was an avid Seattle Mariners and Seahawks fan. He also loved vacationing with his family at their summer home at Hayden Lake, Idaho where he was a member of the Hayden Lake Country Club until 1999.His beloved wife Jean passed away in 1995. He is survived by his sister, Jane Backeberg of Chehalis; his son, Rick Uhlmann of Post Falls, Idaho; his daughter, Mardi Hackett and her husband Robert of Yakima; his grandchildren, Todd Lundgren and his wife Eileen of Eugene, Oregon, and Rick Lundgren, Paul Lundgren, Kyle Lundgren, and Reid Lundgren all of Yakima. He also leaves his long time friends of 57 years, Phyllis and Bill Lee of Chehalis. He was a wonderful role model and example to all of his family and friends and he will be greatly missed.At his request there will be no service. The family will host an open house at his home on Saturday, April 6th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. for friends and relatives.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard C. Uhlmann Scholarship fund at Chehalis High School or Centralia High School; or The Visiting Nurses Foundation, 1783 N. National Avenue, Chehalis, WA 98532; or NorthStar Cancer Center, % Memorial Hospital Foundation, 2811 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98902, or an organization of the donor's choice.