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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Borden, Richard I. “Dick”

Age 79

BORDEN, Richard I.

“Dick” Aug. 25, 1933-Apr 1, 2013 Dick was born to Benjamin and Bertha Borden in Brooklyn, NY.

He immediately began what was to become a fairly peripatetic life by moving across the river to Morningside Heights.

Upon the death of his father and the attaining of a MSW by his mother, at age 14 he was transported across the country to Seattle, WA.

He always referred to this uprooting as being wrenched from civilization and deposited back into the Stone Age.

Not being given to understatement, he nevertheless, graduated from Lincoln High, spent a few years in the army-mercifully stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict-attended Antioch College, the University of Washington, and finally (!)

received his BA from the University of Cincinnati in 1961.

He, too, earned a MSW, his from the University of Michigan.

He practiced social work for some years in Richmond, IN and Cincinnati, OH, but he quickly turned to management and became Executive Director of social service agencies in Tulsa, OK and then back to Seattle and from Seattle to Spokane in the early 80s to become Director of the Visiting Nurse Association.

He was home at last.

When that position ended abruptly, not wanting to uproot himself again, he purchased a picture framing shop and began a 20 year career that filled him with joy and happiness each day.

What could be better than working with people, designing beautiful treatments for their art work, constructing those projects and getting to use his planning and management skills to run his small business?

Dick was a passionate guy-what he loved, he loved deeply.

After family and his frame shop a prime spot was given to The Movies.

Good or bad, long or short-no matter, if it was a movie it pretty much had to be good.

Must not forget the Coffee Boys who faithfully met over bagels and a schmear, true friends all.

For many years he was a gleeful member of the Bon Mots Toastmasters Club where he excelled at Table Topics and impromptu speaking.

Perhaps some past members will remember a very fine hoax he pulled one April 1st.

He loved his Church and maintained membership in the Unitarian Universalist Church wherever he lived.

In Spokane, he served the Church in many ways, providing leadership as President of the Board during the sale of the old Church and the building of the new.

He also served in finance and long range planning.

Through many years of failing health, he kept a cheerful outlook, always feeling blessed and grateful for the bounty of his life.

Dick is survived by his wife of 25 years, Donna, of the home; also by his former wife, Willa Borden of Seattle; daughters Katie Pines, Alpine, CA; Susan (Kevin) Canney, Ceder burg, WI; and Julie Borden, Seattle, WA.

; step-children Daniel (Judy) Knaack, David McManis and Douglas McManis all of Spokane; grandchildren Noah and Alexander Canney, Kelsey (Billy) Christensen, Ryan and Miranda Guercio-McManis, and Helen Knaack; plus one great-grandson, Alexander Christensen.

Gifts in Dick’s memory may be made to the UU Church of Spokane Endowment Fund, 4340 W Ft. Geo.

Wright Drive or to NAMI-Spokane, 10 N Post St. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2013, 4 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 4340 W. Ft. Geo.

Wright Dr. A reception and light supper will follow at the church.