Richard W. (Dick) Cowan

Dick Cowan passed away peacefully August 1, 2011. Born January 11, 1924, Dick was a life- long valley resident. Born to James and Alma Cowan, he was raised and went through school in Naches. His parents owned the Naches Pharmacy and the family were members of the Naches Presbyterian Church.

In 1943, after attending WSU for a year, Dick joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII. He was the storekeeper on a troop transport ship, and carried troops to and from many of the famous battles in the Western Pacific. In August 1945, Dick’s ship landed the First Marines in Tokyo shortly after Japan’s surrender. They also landed troops at Nagasaki, where he saw firsthand the devastation of the Atomic Bomb that ended the War. Dick was discharged in 1946 and received the Asiatic Pacific Arena Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

After returning home from war, Dick owned and operated family-owned businesses, including Cowan’s Department Store and Cowan’s Pharmacy in Naches, Richard’s Mens Wear, The Bed and Bath Store, and gift shops in the Town Plaza and Thunderbird Motor Inns in Yakima. He also worked for and managed departments in retail clothing stores in Yakima. Dick retired in 1983.

Dick was the last surviving charter member of the Naches Lions Club. He also served on the Naches Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years, and sang in the church choir for 25 years. In retirement he volunteered at First Presbyterian Church, and at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital for 10 years, where he received several awards and made many friends. His hobbies included wood working, fixing up cars, and his favorite was growing flowers. He gained a reputation as “The Dahlia Man”, and his flowers were often displayed at his doctor’s offices, at First Presbyterian Church, Crescent health Center, and Memorial Hospital.

In 1959 Dick married Lola Speelman. They divorced in 1966, and in 1976 Dick married his current wife Joyce Cowan. Dick and Joyce resided in Yakima until poor health forced Dick into assisted living, then to nursing care. Joyce’s health required her to relocate to Hawaii, where she lives with her daughter.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Jim. He is survived by his wife Joyce of Honolulu, daughter Debra (Doug) Bertsch of Redmond, son Casey of Arlington, son Jim (Julie) of Phoenix, stepchildren Mike Shim, Loren Shim, and Susan Shim of Honolulu, his brothers Don (Helen) of St. John, Ted (Pat) of Naches, Fred (Carolyn) of Kirkland, and sister Carol (Bill) Bain of Mercer Island. Dick was blessed with twelve grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at the Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Chapel Friday August 5th at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at the Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Reception Center. A viewing will be held Thursday August 4th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the tender care given to Dick by the staff at Garden Village in Yakima.