Richard Edward See
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- Created on Friday, 02 October 2015 10:28
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Former Sitkan Richard Edward See, Anchorage, passed away September 14, 2015. He was 63.
He was born Feb. 24, 1952, in Sitka, the son of Thomas See and Connie See Wilkins.
In 1970 he graduated from Sitka High School, where he participated in basketball and cross country; was a member of the 100 Mile Club and the Lettermen’s Club; was senior class president and voted “Friendliest”; and received high marks and acceptance to Stanford University.
His competitive nature and sense of integrity prompted him to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in an intelligence unit during the Vietnam conflict briefing and debriefing fighter pilots.
Richard’s strong sense of family and friendship were evident as he continued to develop strong ties and relationships with the new pilots he worked with, despite the loss of several pilots early in his assignment: “Lean on me” he would say... “If you can’t lean on your friends, who can you lean on?”
A University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate, Richard held a variety of business and finance positions with the Fairbanks Native Association, Bristol Bay Native Association, BIA and regional national banks.
Alaska fishermen who financed their operations through Richard were quick to speak of his wonderful sense of humor and the confidence he conveyed to them in their commercial fishing endeavors.
He worked in his later years on remote Alaska assignments and quickly assumed leadership roles during cleanup and recovery operations of grounded freighters in the Aleutian chain.
Richard enjoyed cookouts and cooking up a meal for his friends and family and was often heard saying with a smile: “Maybe I should look into a cooking school and open up a cafe.”
Richard was all about his friends and family and his genuine concern for everyone he met. His easy laugh and welcoming smile will be missed by those who knew him.
Richard is survived by his sons Richard See (Krista) and Robert See (April) of Juneau, and his daughter Elisa See (Kurt); their mother Colleen McNulty of Anchorage; and daughter Carissa Livingston of Odanah, Wisconsin.
He also is survived by his brothers, Thomas See Jr., Anthony See and James Wilkins, all of Anchorage, and Carl See of Sitka; sister Barbara Shaw of Seattle; grandchildren Ryan, MacKynzie, Angelo, Tia, Amaya, Daryl, Danika and Anthony Jr.; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Connie, and stepfather Robert W. Wilkins; sisters Linda Paul, Donna Sams and Eve Wilkins; and brother Bobby Wilkins.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at the American Legion Post 1 at 840 W. Fireweed Lane in Anchorage at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 3.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Brother Francis Shelter where Richard donated many hours volunteering his time and sharing his love of cooking.