Richard Forbes Barrett Jr.

His father was a member of the security force for Los Alamos military facilities.

After World War II, the family moved to Bainbridge Island. Richard Sr. worked for the FBI in Seattle.

Twig was a good student with a particular interest in science. He played right tackle on the football team of Bainbridge High School. After graduation he attended the UW, majoring in electrical engineering. He was a member of the UW rugby team and the Seattle Rugby Club during the mid-1960s. During his college years, Twig worked at the Washington State Liquor store.

He enjoyed going to Vancouver, B.C., and playing rugby against the Canadian teams, and particularly enjoyed the parties at the Cecil Hotel.

For nearly 60 years, Twig worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation, first as a highway defoliant sprayer, and as the bridgetender in Seattle’s First Avenue South Bridge, and later at two Snohomish River bridges.

In his 70s, he regularly walked two miles to work and back at the Highway 529/Snohomish River bridge.

Twig always worked holidays so that his colleagues who had families could be with their wives and children. He had a strong work ethic that prevailed over his autism, which limited him socially.

Twig was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Barrett, who lived in New Mexico.

Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered

and sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have fought some hard battles

and won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going;

I would not have you sad for a day,

but in summer just gather some flowers

and remember the place where I lay,

and come in the shade of the evening

when the sun paints the sky in the west.

Stand for a few moments beside me

and remember only my best.