Richard Marion Andersen

Richard Marion Andersen, age 79, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 4th, 2015. Dick, or “Buster” as his family called him, was born in San Diego, California on November 14th, 1935 to Nathaniel and Myrtle Andersen. He was the 4th of 5 children, and the youngest boy. His family moved to Washington State while Dick was still very young, and it was this state that he would call home for most of his life.

As a senior in high school, Dick was a starting player on the 1954 Skykomish basketball team. In a story similar to the movie Hoosiers, his team won the State B basketball championship that year, beating the much larger Bainbridge. Years later, he could still remember the excitement of winning that final game.

After high school, Dick served four years in the Air Force before attending Western Washington University. It was there that he met Brenda Louise Baldwin. They were married in June of 1962, and were able to graduate from college together as husband and wife. Dick earned his master’s degree, and chose to go into teaching. A move he would later describe as one of the best decisions he ever made. He truly loved his job, and over the years taught in smaller rural communities such as Lacrosse, Wellpinit, White Swan, and Harrah.

Dick enjoyed staying active. Besides playing basketball, he also loved tennis, golf, snow skiing, jogging and walking. He was always happy while listening to a ballgame over the radio, or working in his garden. Often, his favorite part of gardening was reclining in his wheelbarrow and napping in the sun.

Shortly after retiring, Dick was injured in an automobile accident. Although he recovered physically, his ability to make new long-term memories was permanently impaired. In this, as in everything, he never complained. In recent years, as his health deteriorated and his dementia worsened, he continued to maintain his sense of humor and pleasant attitude. He was always optimistic, and truly saw only the good in everyone around him. His loved ones will always remember him for his humorous outlook on life, and his gentle kindness.

Dick is survived by his children, Nate and Annie (Weber) Andersen of Moses Lake, Erin Fischer of Puyallup, John and Heather (Snodgrass) Andersen of Wapato, Ann Marie Andersen, Brian Andersen, and Wendy Andersen of Yakima, by his grandchildren, Meagan Andersen, Ryan Andersen, and Ally Andersen of Wapato, and by his sisters, Janet Knice of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Mary Thompson of Spokane.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Louise Baldwin, 1999, by his brothers Melvin Rake, 2010 and Arthur Andersen, 1954.

The family of Richard Andersen would like to extend a special thank you to Memorial Hospice of Yakima for their wonderful care and support.

2nd Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

A memorial service will be held on March 21st at 11:00 at Ahtanum Valley Assembly of God in Yakima, WA.

To share a memory of Richard, please visit www.keithandkeith.com