Richard D Speidel

Dick was born on November 27, 1923, the youngest of two boys, born to William Kenneth and Myrthel (Wickstrom) Speidel. He was raised in the rural area north of Seattle, now called Shoreline, and attended a one room schoolhouse, which is now the Shoreline Historical Museum. He and his brother, Bob, just 2 years older, were inseparable during those years and remained best friends their entire life. The Interurban Railroad ran just west of their home on 175th and Midvale and became a favorite and easy mode of transportation.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1941, Dick worked as a coppersmith at Bremerton Puget Sound Navy Yard, before joining the Army Air Corps in 1944. He remained stateside until the war ended and then was sent to Japan to serve with Occupational Forces, 13th Depot Repair Squadron, Pacific Air Service Command, until his Honorable Discharge in 1946. Shortly after returning home, his “Daddy” (as he always referred to him), suddenly died of a heart attack. He spent the next year helping his Mother finish building the house she and his father began, while also attending Seattle College, taking accounting classes. Next, he journeyed north to Alaska Kenai Peninsula, to work for the canneries, overseeing all payroll, using his expert financial skills. Later, he and friends purchased their own fishing boat, but unfortunately, a storm washed the boat ashore, which ended that career.

Returning to Seattle, he purchased his first brand new car and met his first love, Geraldine Nickell, marrying her shortly afterwards in 1951. He needed a job to support his new wife, so he became a milkman with Vitamilk. However, his boyhood dream of becoming a Seattle Fireman came true when he passed the test right before his 30th birthday in 1953, a cut-off age requirement to join SFD. He was assigned to Station 31, Ladder 5, for the next 25 yrs, earning the rank of Lieutenant, with the nickname of “Spider” until his retirement in 1979. He absolutely LOVED being a fireman, creating forever friendships, serving the people in Seattle, being “one of the good guys” as he was often referred to.

Three children, whom he was devoted to, were born to the Speidels, Vicky, Kenny and Ronny. He built his family home just north of his mother’s and lived there for 35 yrs. An avid swimmer and diver in high school, just like his Daddy, he continued that passion his entire life, even installing his own pool in the home he built. At age 85, he could go still dive perfectly straight! As a forever golfer, beginning with caddying at Seattle Golf and Country Club at age 16, he hit the links everywhere he traveled, with a life total of 5 hole-in-ones. He considered the Nile Golf CC his home course, still hitting the balls until his death.

In 1993, his beloved wife Jerry passed from kidney cancer. She left a huge hole in his heart that was filled when he met and married Mary (Schoening) Lind, another avid golfer in 1995. Together they traveled to many locations all around the US (Branson, MO being their favorite) and beyond for the next 18 years, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Costas Rica, Aruba, Fiji &New Zealand (at age 86). They resided together in condos in Shoreline and Edmonds, before settling into their final home at Fairwinds Retirement Home, where unfortunately, Mary passed in 2013.

Dick was an amazing guy, a life-long “go-go-goer”, just like his mother. At 95 years he was still walking quickly inside his retirement home and outside on his nearly daily one mile walks or joining the many organizations he was involved with including: The Seattle Fire Dept Relief Organization Board of Directors, Emerald City Dance Club, American Legion, VFW, Nile Golf Club, The Maltese Club Secretary, Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Nile Temple Clowns, International Shrine Clowns, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry 32*, Occidental Lodge, MW Grand Lodge of WA. He also, was very active in the Lake City Christian Church in his earlier years and Shoreline Community Church the last 25 yrs. He owned and managed many rental homes, the Sky Harbor Restaurant in Kenmore and The Jackson Golf Course Grill, all while being a Seattle Fireman! The very next day after his SFD retirement, he went to work for Seattle Dry Docks for another ten years.

Dick will be forever remembered as the nicest guy with a great smile, enthusiasm and love for life, forever positive attitude even under physical distress, his love of the game of golf, chess, pinochle, checkers, solitaire, traveling and fun with friends. But, mostly his love for his family and Lord. Oh, how he loved every one of them – Jerry and Mary, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He leaves a legacy of love.

He will be forever missed.

Dick is preceded in death by his beloved wives, Geraldine (Nickell) Speidel of 42 years and Mary (Schoening) Lind-Speidel of 18 years. He is survived by his children, Vicky A. (Speidel) Simmonds (Caswell) of Hallandale, FL; W. Kenneth Speidel (Debbie) of Seattle, WA; Ronald D. Speidel (Janie) of Rathdrum, ID; Twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Speidel family.