Richard Van Cleave

Richard (Rich) Grant Van Cleave was born December 25th 1939, in Yakima Washington to Grant and Mildred (Gough) Van Cleave. He passed at home on Thursday October 22nd 2026 in Wapato Washington at 86 years old.

Rich graduated from Wapato High School with the class of 1958 and was a second generation apple farmer. He married Yvonne Palmer in 1960 and they were married for 28 years. Together they had two children, Curt Van Cleave and Julie Klutts.

In November 1991 Rich was married to Sylvia Lenseigne, with whom he shared the last 35 years.

Rich spent his life working and learning side by side with his father on their apple farm, acquiring the 100 acres known as "Van Cleave Park" off Lateral C Rd and in 1998 was voted Farmer of the Year by Wapato Chamber of Commerce.

When he wasn't farming, Rich was an active member of the American Legion, enjoyed hunting birds with his son, traveling to Laughlin NV with friends, and was an avid bowler.

From 1991 to 1999 He also owned Wapato Drugs and Gifts, now known as St. Jack's Video in Wapato, owned by Sylvia's nephew Adam Decker.

Rich's kind heart, while hidden through a tough exterior, extended in ways not many knew. Without recognition Rich put up a reward fund to find the persons who killed Mike and Dorothy Nickloff in 1988 and contributed to a scholarship fund in Memory of Bruce Devine, a family friend.

In his later years, Rich's favorite past time was rolling dice, playing cribbage, spending Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Golden Wheel's Lotus Room visiting with his close friends and running the football picks pool.

Rich is proceeded in death by his mother and father, and his son in law Bill Klutts. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, his son Curt, daughter Julie, two grandchildren Greg (Kayla) and Kristen (Aaron), and 6 great grandchildren Zayden(14), Grace(14), Lynnea(11), Cameron(8) Maverick(5), and Warren (1)

Rich's family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to his home caregivers Abby, Rose, and the MultiCare Hospice staff (Ariana) for the countless hours they spent caring for him and making him comfortable. And an additional thank you to Rich's step daughter Jenny Lenseigne who has always been there for Rich and had an essential role in his care.

At his request, Richard will be cremated and there will be no services. A small viewing will be held on November 5th 2026 at Langevin funeral home from 3:00pm to 7:00pm