Richard J. “Dick” Nielsen, 67, died Tuesday, September 27th, after a seven month battle with pancreatic cancer. Dick died peacefully surrounded by his three beloved girls, wife Lila Terril Nielsen, daughters Gretchen Von Stubbe Sekel of Maplewood, New Jersey, and Vicki Von Stubbe-Lust of Everett, Washington. Grandchildren Caroline (13), Anna Rose (10) and Tate (8) Sekel and Peyton Lust (6) described Grandpa Dick as happy, smiling, a gentleman, tickle-monster, genuine good friend, and “the best grandpa ever.” They loved him dearly; he was a great role model. Dick also had a mutual love and respect for his sons-in-law, Terrence J. Sekel and Bryan Lust.
Dick was born on July 11th, 1944, in Salinas, California to Opal Jefferson and Lewis Nielsen, members of pioneering families of the Salinas Valley and Monterey. As a child Dick grew up on a ranch on Highway 183 between Salinas and Castroville, moving to Salinas for his school years. During this time, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and his father. Summers were spent at their cabin in the Carmel Valley.
Dick graduated from Salinas High School in 1962 and attended Hartnell College and the University of California, Berkeley. After college, Dick was a produce buyer in California and worked for Boise Cascade and Safeway, which brought him to Yakima, Washington. Hired away by Edwards Fruit Brokerage and then by Highland Fruit Growers Inc, Dick retired in 2000 to manage family property in California and pursue his favorite pastimes. Dick was a member of Downtown Yakima Rotary the Yakima Country Club.
Dick could strike up conversation with anyone and always make the other person end up feeling good. He was never at a loss for words. He had friends of all ages. Many a youth came over just to hang around with him. Dick was blessed with a handsome face and a tremendous sense of humor. Described by one as “hysterically” funny, he was fun to be around and a joy to live with, endearing himself to many, many people.
He was kind and understanding, a loyal friend and a sensitive and loving husband. A rebel without a cause until he met his beloved Lila, they somehow found each other and were married for 28 years. During this time they raised the two girls together, enjoyed their timeshares at Lake Chelan and Sunriver, purchased and remodeled a small condominium in downtown Seattle, traveled, and enjoyed retired life.
Dick loved fishing and hunting, Friday lunches and sitting in a blind with his duck club buddies. “Yakima Dick” was also a much-loved guy fishing for salmon on the shores of Whidbey Island. Dick loved his boating/fishing trips to Canada and Alaska with friends. Dick was an avid reader, gin player, fly fisherman, duck hunter and salmon fisherman. He loved cars and had many hobbies. His latest interest was refurbishing lanterns, especially ship lanterns. Some he gave away and others were sold in Seattle antique shops. Dick could remember movies backwards and forwards, quote lines from old movies and tell you who played in what and when. The Cal Bear eventually turned into a Dawg fan and he and Lila enjoyed attending Husky Football games.
Dick is survived by the Jefferson families in the Salinas Valley, cousin Marty’s (deceased) wonderful wife Dorothy and children Benny, Jay, Alan, Marlene and Duane. Special in-laws include Carl and Linda Volckmann of Westport, Connecticut, Karin and Nicholas Goodman and children of Park City, Utah, Christina and Matt Perala and children of Seattle, and Dr. Eric and Ellie Volckmann of Salt Lake City, Utah. Jim and Lynne Terril, Laura, and Chris of Walnut Creek, California. Dick had a sister Janet and a nephew Christopher. The family is grateful to Memorial Hospice and the many friends and relatives who have so graciously helped us through these months and last days.
Contributions in Richard’s name can be made to Cottage in the Meadow (Hospice Building Fund) at www.memfound.org or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org and 877.272.6226. A memorial service will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, October 8th, 2011, Yakima First Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Avenue. A celebration of Dick’s life will be at 4PM at the Yakima Country Club.
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