Obituary: Shulkin, Elmer “Rich”
Age 90
His warm laugh and smile, character and charisma, and kind and generous heart will never be forgotten.
Rich was born January 5, 1925 in Coleridge, Nebraska as the youngest of five.
After relocating to Spokane with his family at a young age, he graduated from Rogers High School in 1943 as one of the finest athletes the Pirates have seen to date.
After serving aboard the USAT Etolin as a medic during World War II, Rich went on to play baseball at Gonzaga University and earn his Masters of Education from Eastern Washington University.
He spent over 30 years teaching and coaching, retiring from West Valley School District in 1982.
Coach Shulkin led his football team to a State B Championship in 1976.
In 1949 he married his wife, Dorothy, and they had five wonderful children together.
They were married 42 years before she passed away in 1992.
Rich was a lifetime member of the Washington State Coaches Association and Washington Schools Athletic Administrators Association.
He also belonged to the Spokane Valley VFW Post 1135 and Spokane Valley Elks.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Shulkin; his five children, Susan (Ken) Howser, Kathy (Brian) Powell, Rick (Sherry), Dan and Mark (Mindy); five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Public visitation will be Friday, December 26, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel.
A private family service will be held.