Richard Lee Beaubien

He is survived by his devoted wife of 38 years, Mary Beaubien of Puyallup; daughters Rebecca (Gregory) Patjens of Tucson, AZ and Michelle (Doug) Monroe of Federal Way, WA; stepson Bruce (Kris) Johnson of Bonney Lake, WA; nephew Jim Beaubien of Dallas, TX; 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and his son Gregory. He also leaves his favorite cat “Wompus.”

Richard grew up in Bristow, OK, where he played high school football and was proud to be a drummer in the high school band for his Bristow Pirates. Richard was proud to be an Oklahoma Sooner from his college days.

Richard retired from the U.S. Air Force as Senior Master Sergeant after 22 years. He served during three wars; WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. He received a Purple Heart when his plane was shot down over Yugoslavia right after he first joined the service. He was in the hospital six months in Italy and then six more months in the U.S.

He retired as a courier at Puget Sound National Bank. He devoted 20 years tutoring children in reading at Spanaway Elementary School. Richard was very proud of his Indian heritage, being on the roll of the Potawatomi Indians and his mother being part Cherokee. He was a member of the Puyallup United Methodist Church and the Puyallup Elks Lodge 1450.

His memorial service will be September 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Puyallup United Methodist Church, 1919 W. Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, WA, with a reception following. Memorials may be made to the Puyallup United Methodist Church. A special Thank You to the Life Care Center of Puyallup for their care and kindness.