Obituary of Richard Hitchcock

Richard Hitchcock was born in Seattle, WA, April 22, 1937. He left this world surrounded by his loving family July 19, 2011. Richard grew up in Sisters, OR before moving to White Swan, WA in 1950, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Dixie Lee Crumb. In addition to running the family lumber business, Richard was an active member in various associations, including Rotary Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club, and Ducks Unlimited. Richard enjoyed being active and made it a point to live life to the fullest. In his earlier years Richard was a driver and owner of numerous drag cars. In addition, he was an avid fisherman and big-game hunter, traveling to various locations throughout the world enjoying the sports he loved. Richard was also a member of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, and was the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation President. He shared this interest with his loving wife Dixie; together they enjoyed all aspects of the horse racing industry, especially the early mornings at the track watching the horses' workout, followed by exciting afternoons of racing. He loved looking forward to the next challenging adventure up until his last moments. Richard was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and dear friend to all privileged enough to have known him. His most prized possession was his family. Richard always put family first and loved his children greatly, and adored the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that blessed his life. He was an exceptional man who was caring, compassionate, kind, and loved by all who knew him. Richard's love for the outdoors, food, fun, and family will be forever remembered and passed down by those that were close to him. His lasting legacy will live on in the hearts of all that loved him, and in the remarkable contributions that he made to the communities he lived in. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dixie L. Hitchcock, his son Richard A. Hitchcock and wife Tami of Julietta, ID, daughters LeAnn Fiander and fiancé Ken McKowen of Selah, WA, Michelle Hall and husband Shaun of Baker City, OR, and Rachelle Robinette and husband Todd of Halfway, OR. His legacy will continue in the memories of his 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Richard is also survived by his brother Robert Hitchcock, and sisters Kathleen Hitchcock and Molly Krogh. He was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Kathleen Hitchcock and brother Samuel Hitchcock. Services will be held graveside, 11:00 a.m. July 23, 2011, at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima. The family requests that donations be made on Richard's behalf to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Society. A happy family is but an earlier heaven - John Bowring