Richard Lee Settle

1942 - 2025

Richard Lee Settle

June 16, 1942 - July 23, 2025

Settle, Washington - Richard Lee Settle, a revered lawyer, pioneering law professor, influential legal author, deeply devoted father, and loyal friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Grapeview, Washington, on July 23, 2025. He was 83 years old.

Born on June 16 1942, in Omaha, Nebraska, Richard moved with his family to Seattle as a young child and made the Pacific Northwest his lifelong home. His decades-long career left a lasting imprint on Washington State's legal landscape, particularly in the areas of environmental and land use law.

Richard served as Of Counsel at Foster Pepper, one of Seattle's leading law firms, during and after his academic tenure. He was known for his integrity and principled approach to complex legal issues, and his contributions helped shape major legal frameworks and policies across the state.

In 1972, he became one of the founding professors of the University of Puget Sound School of Lawnow Seattle University School of Lawwhere he mentored and taught generations of law students. He was a gifted educator, remembered for his sharp intellect, generous spirit, and ability to bring clarity and purpose to difficult legal concepts. His published works on environmental and land use law continue to serve as essential resources for attorneys and policymakers throughout the region.

Beyond his many professional achievements, Richard was a man of great warmth, humor, and deep passions. He was a loving father to his daughters, Courtney Dodson (Sean) and Dana Settle (Andrew Paquin), and a proud grandfather to Parker Dodson, Delaney Dodson, Maximilian Paquin, and Alexander Paquin. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Ann Wesche (Ken); his nephew, Burt Wesche; his niece, Laura Wesche (Trevor Salter); his stepsons, Pat Heily (Sunday) and Andy Heily (Courtney); and his first wife and the mother of his children, Linda Bratrud.

Richard was preceded in death by his cherished wife and the love of his life, Trish Settle. Together, they shared a life full of joy, travel, friendship, and laughter. Their many adventures took them around the globe, especially to Italywhere Tuscany and Umbria were favorite destinations. He also treasured earlier travels with his daughters through Italy, France, and Spain, where they created memories he held dear throughout his life.

A man of refined yet simple pleasures, Richard loved fishing and golfing with his close circle of friends as much as he loved the peace of solitudeespecially among the forests and shoreline of his beloved Grapeview property. He found joy in gardening, quiet reflection, and long walks near the water. He was also a passionate cook, delighting in preparing meals both for himself and for the many plannedand often delightfully unplannedgatherings of family and friends that filled his home with warmth and laughter.

Richard's legacy lives on in his family, his students, his colleagues, and in the legal and environmental policies that bear the imprint of his life's work. He will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, and his deep love for the people and places that shaped his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's memory to Seattle University School of Law's Environmental Law Program or to a conservation organization supporting the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest.