Obituary: Aubertin, Richard J.
Age 82
AUBERTIN,
Richard J.
“Dick”
(Age 82)
Passed away Wednesday evening July 18, 2012 in Nespelem, Washington.
Born December 28, 1929 in Colville, Washington to W.A.
“Bush” and Leola Dell Aubertin.
A proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and Wilbur Presbyterian Church Dick was a graduate of Wilbur High School.
On July 2, 1948 he married the love of his life Ruth Evelyn McAllister in Fresno, California, together they resided in Wilbur, WA, and worked and played in Keller, WA.
Following in his father’s footprints, Dick was a logger for 40 years, owning and operating “Aubertin Logging and Lumber” of Keller, WA.
From 1948 to 1953 Dick played for several minor league baseball teams beginning with the New York Yankees baseball farm team: “Ventura Yankees” and concluding with the Spokane Indians when a logging accident ended his baseball career.
Dick was a man of many interests and abilities: he had a knack for engineering and mechanical drawing, worked as a commercial fisherman out of LaPush, panned for gold, hunted every inch of his beloved Colville reservation and having obtained his pilot’s license in his younger years Dick enjoyed flying out of the Wilbur Airport and barnstorming chickens.
Dick also enjoyed helping his neighbors, chopping wood and camping in the woods.
His greatest joy though was spending time with Ruth, his children and grandchildren, who all eagerly looked forward to his hand cranked ice cream and enjoyed many 4th of Julys with an arsenal of “Big Boy” fireworks and noisemakers, which always included the presence of the Aubertin Water Truck.
Predeceased by both of his parents; and brothers: Ben Aubertin and Jerry Rodgers; Richard’s legacy lives on through his beloved bride of 64 years: Ruth Aubertin of Wilbur, WA; stepmother: Lula Aubertin; children: Debra Portch (Rod) of Spokane, WA, Danette Aubertin of Aberdeen, WA, Douglas Aubertin (Gayleen) of Keller, WA and Donald B. Aubertin (Dawn Marie) of Port Angeles, WA; ten grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother: Bill Aubertin of Lapaway, ID; sister: Nadine Naff of Keller, WA; sister-in-law: Roseann Aubertin of Wilbur, WA and many nephews and nieces.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held in the Wilbur Presbyterian Church, Wilbur, WA at 11:00am on Saturday, July 28, 2012.
There is an on-line register book for friends and family to sign at www.stratefuneralhome.com. STRATE FUNERAL HOME OF GRAND COULEE, WA is honored to be serving Richard’s family.