Obituary: Hayes, Richard E. “Dick”

HAYES,
Richard E. “Dick”

Passed away peacefully on March 19, 2016 after a sudden and untimely illness.

Known for his punctuality, he drew his last breath at 10:30 pm with his wife, daughters, and granddaughters at his side.

Dick was born on September 15, 1936 in Weiser, Idaho to Richard and Martha Hayes, the second of three children.

The family relocated to Battleground, Washington, where Dick spent his youth and graduated from Battleground High School.

He attended Washington State University, and was forever a proud Coug, a member of ROTC, and the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

A fortuitous meeting with Alice Zakarison at the COUG led to a lifelong romance and the two were married on June 10, 1956.

Dick was a commissioned officer in the United States Army, and served honorably for several years.

His young family, which now included two daughters, Allison and Amy, had many adventures living throughout the United States and Germany.

Dick was honorably discharged having earned the rank of Captain, and the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and then to Spokane, where Dick attended law school by night at Gonzaga University and served as bailiff for the Honorable George Shields by day.

As hardworking and diligent as he was in all endeavors, Dick graduated at the top of his class in 1970 and went on to have a successful civil trial practice for many years until his retirement in 2001.

Professionally, Dick served steadfastly as an advocate, a mentor, and a friend to those he worked with and to all who knew him.

He will forever be remembered as a gentlemanly lawyer with a quick wit and the ability to find an expert witness in any city where the Mariners were playing baseball.
Although he was a respected professional, his career did not define or confine him, and his family was always paramount.

Together with his wife Alice, he raised three daughters with a gentle hand, a sense of humor and endless patience.

He delighted in and doted on his three granddaughters and grandson, who affectionately referred to him as “Boppa”.

Dick and Alice were adventurous until the end, traveling the world and enjoying all of life’s pleasures with family and friends.

Together they made a wonderful home for their family on Lake Coeur d’ Alene where they spent every summer for the past 45 years.

Dick will be forever remembered for his voracious love of reading and golf; his competitive spirit in Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Boggle, Careers and all nature of games; peanuts and Mariner baseball on the deck at the lake; and his dogged dedication to Gonzaga Basketball and all things WSU.

He is survived at home by his wife, Alice; his devoted daughters Allison Hayes Bader of Portland, OR; Amy Hayes (Fred Abramowitz) of Fort Collins, CO; and Angela Hayes of Spokane; his loving grandchildren Caroline, Charlotte, Ellen and Misha; his sister, Jackie Eccleston (Tom Eccleston) of Vancouver, WA, and countless family and friends who have been forever touched by his life.

At his request, there will be no funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Avenue, Spokane, 99203.

Please visit Dick’s online memorial and leave a message for his family at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.
May the Kokanee never stop flowing, the golf ball always go the way you intend, the snow be in perfect condition, the Cougars never COUG, and the Mariners actually convert on the 118 win season to win the World Series……..Rest in Paradise, Boppa.

Carry on.