Albert Richey

Albert Richey, 91, of Dalton Gardens, passed away July 5, 2012 at Hospice of North Idaho in Hayden, ID. Albert was the oldest of 8 children. He was born to Thomas Albert and Blanche (Cole) Richey on May 23, 1921 in Roscoe, Missouri. His family moved to Montana when he was very young. When World War II began, Albert enlisted in the Marines on Feb 22, 1942 and took part in the first landing on Guadalcanal with the 2nd Marine Division. He earned his Purple Heart there and was honorably discharged in October, 1945. Albert moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1955 and went to work at the Potlatch Rutledge Lumber Co. He held many jobs there and retired in 1984. He raised his family in Dalton Gardens and they have many fond memories of those years. As a family there were many camping, fishing, floating and hiking trips to the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene Rivers. Albert loved to fly fish, tied his own flies and made beautiful fly rods and landing nets. After retirement in 1984, "Grandpa" could always be found in his shop where he built beautiful furniture. He also built a "cedar strip" canoe and a 13' rowing and sailing boat. There were always neighbors who needed help with their projects and they came to "Al". Although he only finished the 8th grade, he read a lot and was a self-taught "hands on" learner. We will always remember Grandpa as a man who "loved to talk", was a fun person and a hard worker who strove for perfection in everything he did. Also among his legacies were his Christmas tree plantation and hardwood forest which he planted by hand from acorns. Albert is survived by his wife June of 64 years; two brothers, Virgil and Kenneth, and one sister, Vera; his children, Janice Johnson (Steve) of Sheridan, WY, Margaret Lamb of Pullman, WA, Paul Richey (Beth) of Boise, ID and Catherine Duff (Tom) of Spokane, WA, and his loving grandchildren; Steve & Erik Lamb and their families, Brian and Lauren Johnson, Galen Duff and Laura Richey and great granddaughter, Ava Lamb. His passing will leave a big empty place in our lives. Our family wants to thank the caring, compassionate staff at Hospice of North Idaho for helping him through his final days. In lieu of flowers, we prefer memorials be sent to Hospice of North Idaho. There will be a casual, family memorial service at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens on Saturday, July 14 at 11:00 followed with a reception at the Dalton City Park.