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Obituary for Richard Paul Dittrich 1946-2021

Richard Paul Dittrich, 75, resident of Olympia, Washington, passed away on November 30, 2021 after a long illness.  He was born the second son to Alfred and Eleanor (Hupe) Dittrich on January 14, 1946 in Spokane Washington. Richard attended public schools in Spokane and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1964.  While attending school, Richard became very interested in photography and astronomy, even building his own telescope.  After graduating from high school Richard attended Pacific Lutheran University studying history and social sciences.  At PLU Richard met his future wife, Barbara Joyce Thompson.  Before his college graduation Richard was drafted into the army and participated in the war in Viet Nam.  When he returned to the United States, Richard and Barbara were married on August 1, 1970.  After his service in the army, Richard went on to complete his bachelor’s degree in sociology at PLU in 1972. He worked for the State of Washington, mostly at the Department of Revenue as a Tax Information Specialist for 37 years.

While a student in college Richard participated in winning College Bowl teams with his friends.  He also developed a keen interest in golf and played for the rest of his life.  He was especially fond of playing golf with his friends from the Department of Revenue.  Richard loved to read so much, fiction as well as nonfiction including biographies. He was an avid photographer recording the history of his family as well as plants and wildlife.  Richard always loved cats and adopted many in his lifetime. He also took great care with the dogs he and Barbara had.  Like his father before him, Richard liked to plant and tend to flowers.  In later years, Richard became a member of the Audubon society and especially loved the hummingbirds that lived in his yard.  He also enjoyed the trips he took with Barb to many places in the United States including the Oregon coast, Las Vegas, San Diego and especially Hawaii.

Richard and Barbara had one child, Jennifer, and he adored her!  He seldom missed her soccer games, theatre performances, choir and band concerts.  When Jennifer attended Washington State University, Richard became a huge fan of the Cougars.  He also enjoyed watching the Seahawks and was a Seattle Sounders supporter, having season tickets for 10 years to attend all the home matches with Jennifer.

Richard was an active member of Gull Harbor Lutheran Church in Olympia, serving as an usher and on the church council.  He considered the members of the church and the pastor as a family.

Richard will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend and for having a great sense of humor, compassion, generosity, and kindness.

Richard is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara, and his daughter Jennifer.  Other survivors include sisters –in law Marla Jo Dittrich and Nancy Hayes, cousins Judy Oliver, John Juds and Toby Dittrich, Aunt Carol Dittrich, as well has nieces and nephew Dana Ryan, Stephanie Murphy, Molly Hayes, Jason Hayes and their children.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Eleanor, as well as his beloved older brother, Jerry Dittrich.

A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at a date to be determined in 2022.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thurston County Animal Shelter or the food bank.