Donald G. Richardson, brother of ten, father of three, and grandfather of two passed away Sunday August 15th under the loving care of the staff at the Enso House in Freeland, Washington. He spent the last days of his time on this earth with visits from his family, friends, and faithful canine companion Emmett.

Don’s ninety-three years were busy and full of generosity and helping others. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church community in all four corners of the United States. Retirement to Don meant that he exchanged working time for service time, working tirelessly with the energy of a much younger man for decades. As well as participating in activities in the church, he delivered Meals on Wheels, was a docent at the Jacob and Sarah Ebey House, and was an active member of the Coupeville Lions Club where he received every honor possible as a Lion.

Don never fell into the trap of “I’m too old for that”. Always ready for an adventure, he took up snowboarding, rafted the Grand Canyon, made two Mount Rainier summit attempts, and frequently went on hikes with his friends in and around Coupeville, all in his 70’s and 80’s.

He grew up on farms in and around Geneseo, New York, served a 3-year tour in the Air Force, started college at Alfred University where he met his future wife Ona Joan Sherwood, and finished his schooling at Purdue. From there, he worked as an engineer designing jet engines for Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut and Florida. He moved to San Diego, California to work for Solar Turbines. His last destination was Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Washington where he spent the final twenty-three years of his life.

“Thoughtful, one of the kindest, most generous, upbeat and strong individuals I have ever known” are how friends and family remember him. He always a had a smile for strangers and friends, and would greet people with a hearty “Howdy, Howdy, Howdy”. A true gentleman, opening doors for people, his strongest words were “jeekers cats” and “gosh darn it”.

He was a courageous warrior for goodness, fairness, and justice on Earth for all beings. Dedicated to making this world a better place, his final gift to us all is to have his remains composted at ReCompose Seattle with the resulting soil going to help restore the natural wilderness that he so loved.

Donations to honor him can be made to: Enso House 6339 Wahl Road

Freeland, WA 98249, Coupeville Lions Foundation- Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 473 Coupeville, WA 98239, or Remember Land; www.rememberland.org.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of Don by going to www.tinyurl.com/don-richardson