Obituary: Daugherty, Richard D.
Age -92
He was born in Aberdeen, Washington March 31, 1922 to parents Charles and Audrey Ross Daugherty.
He graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1940.
He entered college at the University of Washington, leaving in 1942 to join the US Navy.
He served as a blimp pilot on enemy submarine patrol, flying out of Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Following the war, he returned to UW completing his BA and PH’d degrees.
He married his college sweetheart, Phyllis McCullough in 1944.
This delightful “city girl” followed him to all of his excavations in spite of the challenging and rugged living conditions.
Together they had three children.
He joined the faculty at WSU in 1951 and taught Anthropology and Archaeology courses until his retirement in 1982.
Many a WSU freshman fondly remembers “Anthro 101 from Doc Daugherty”.
In addition, he created and directed the Washington Archaeological Research Center at WSU.
He authored numerous books and publications, many in collaboration with colleagues and grad students.
Following his retirement, he started Western Heritage, a consulting company and was principal investigator for numerous site surveys and excavations.
In 1967 he was appointed by President Lynden Johnson to a four member National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, whose efforts resulted in the enactment of the National Historic Preservation Act.
This act created The National Register of Historic Places and mandated that future government projects investigate the archeological history of a site before construction begins.
He was named “Distinguished Citizen of the State of Washington” by Special Resolution of the Washington State Senate, (1969) and received Governor’s 1971 Arts Award.
His book, “Hunters of the Whale”, (with Ruth Kirk) won the Fourth Annual Children’s Science Book award by the New York Academy of Science and the Outstanding Science Book for Children by the National Science Teachers Association and Children’s Book Council - both in 1974.
He received the Governors Writers Award in 1979.
The Society of Professional Archaeologists honored him with a “Distinguished Service Award” in 1997.
What he enjoyed most was his Archaeology.
His excavations spanned decades, most notably Marmes Man, Manis Mastidon, and the Ozette Village Site.
He led “digs” throughout the 60’s along the Snake River ahead of the construction of the Little Goose, Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental Dams.
One of these sites yielded a “Jefferson Peace Medal” which was given to the Nez Perce Indian Tribe by Lewis and Clark during their trek through Eastern Washington.
He also was Field Director of an archeological expedition to Egypt and The Sudan for the Aswan Dam Project in 1962-63.
Numerous undergraduate and graduate students contributed to these excavations and field schools.
More than a few of these students have gone on to be very accomplished Archaeologists in their own right - a fact that gave Dad great deal of pleasure.
He led a wonderful most exciting life and was interested in everything!
He became accomplished as a mountain climber and avid hiker, a skier, a pilot, an author, gardener, wood worker and fisherman.
Many an entertaining fall morning was spent roaming the Whitman County hillsides with colleagues and friends hunting pheasants and quail.
He also was a metal sculptor and one of his pieces sits in the garden adjoining Lighty Student Center at WSU, which he created as a memorial to a friend and colleague, WSU Plant Pathologist Shirl Graham.
He was a devoted parent, had a great sense of humor, was charming, an avid reader, a serious researcher and an adventurer.
His granddaughter-in-law, Molly Werner, best described him as “Indiana Jones meets Cary Grant”.
His wife Phyllis Daugherty passed away in 2002 and in 2007 Richard married author Ruth Kirk and together they conducted site surveys and wrote, “Archaeology in Washington”.
In addition to his wife Ruth, in Lacey, Washington, Richard is survived by his daughters, Melinda Beasley, Pullman; Carol Ewen, Pendleton; Rick Daugherty (Annette), Ellensburg; step-son Wayne Kirk (Beverly); four grandsons: Michael Werner (Molly), Jared Ewen (Tami); Chad Daugherty (Tana), Chris Daugherty (Jen); granddaughter Alexis; and step-granddaughter Nikki Smiley (Joe).
He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Riley, Taylor, Jake, Ava, Khloe and Echo; and three step great-grandchildren: Nyah, Carter and Bella.
His parents; wife Phyllis; son-in-law, Ted Beasley; grandson, Blue; and stepson Bruce Kirk, preceded him in death.
Our family is deeply grateful for the amazing and loving care given dad by Lorraine Fulfs, LMK and their wonderful staff at Bella Vista Adult Home and to Hospice of the Palouse.
A memorial gathering of family, friends, and colleagues will be held Saturday April 26th, 2-5pm at the WSU Alumni Center.
Remembrances may be made to the Richard and Phyllis Daugherty Scholarship for Graduate Excellence in Anthropology at WSU (PO Box 641925, Pullman, WA 99164) or to the Makah Research and Cultural Center, (PO Box 160, Neah Bay, WA 98357).