Richard Dode Siewing, 80, 35-year resident of Oak Harbor, died Aug. 15, 2004, at Whidbey Island Manor after an extended illness.

Mr. Siewing was born March 6, 1924, in Houston, Texas, to Joseph Siewing and Helen (Lively) Siewing. He was raised in East St. Louis, Ill. He joined the US Navy in 1942 at the age of 17 and served during World War II. Richard’s naval career took him to several distant and exotic locations. His flight time in the P2V spanned the South Pacific and the Aleutians chains. Richard proudly served his country and retired as a chief petty officer in 1962.

He had the ultimate loving Navy wife, Mary, who followed and supported him throughout his career, even to Cuba, Hawaii, Florida, California, Virginia and Colorado.

Richard served as a deputy sheriff in El Paso County, Colo., after retiring from the Navy until he took a job with civil service. He was a skilled airframe and power plant mechanic and quickly became a technical representative for NAESU. In 1972 Richard again served his country with a tour in Vietnam aboard the USS America, keeping the A6 Intruder and the EA-6B in top operational condition during their missions.

His job brought him to Oak Harbor in 1969. He and Mary loved this area, and especially the people of Oak Harbor. After his retirement he purchased a farm and “played” at being a gentleman farmer. As he grew older, Richard enjoyed time with his family, his faithful companion Molly, breakfast at Jason’s and dinner at Kasteel-Franssen.

He was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and a fifty-year member of the Whidby Lodge No. 15 F.& A.M., Anacortes Lodge No. 59 R.A.M., Lei Lehua Chapter No. 6 O.E. S. and Fleet Reserve Association No. 97.

Richard is survived by his daughter Trish Lamar and son-in-law Mick Lamar; son Richard K. Siewing, all of Oak Harbor; seven grandchildren, Jason, Jenny, Michael, Stacie, Meg, Ali and Adrian; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Vitale of Las Vegas, Nev., and Doris Linnenbringer of St. Louis, Mo. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary and his daughter Michele.

A memorial service will be held Aug. 19 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Pastor Laurie Johnson officiating. Military Honors will be under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Daybreak and Respite, 917 E. Whidbey Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.