Richard Eugene Powell
Former Sitka resident Richard Eugene Powell, of Milton Freewater, Oregon, passed away Oct. 8, 2018, at the age of 70.
Richard (Fritz or Rich to family and friends) was born in Prosser, Washington, May 6, 1948. The family moved to Lake Stevens, Washington, where they lived until moving to Sitka in October 1959. Richard graduated from Sitka High in 1966 then attended Northwest Nazarene College, graduating with a degree in math education.
He taught briefly at Mt. Edgecumbe High School but was drafted into the U.S. Army in late l970. A portion of his Army career was spent in Germany.
Richard returned to Sitka briefly, working in various places as an accountant, before moving to Caldwell, Idaho, where he lived and worked for several years.
In 1983, Richard moved to Laughlin, Nevada, where he worked for the next 33 years at Pioneer Casino. Many Sitkans recall running into him there at a Black Jack table. He met and made many friends from across the country and world while working there.
He loved the hot, dry climate, and was an avid bike rider, often going on rides of more than 50 miles and competing in cross-state team races. He never owned a car while living there.
He retired in January 2016 and moved to Milton Freewater, where he owned a home. He enjoyed being outdoors, going on daily long walks and taking care of his yard and gardens. He owned a car, but seldom drove it, preferring to walk.
Watching football and Nascar racing were other pastimes he enjoyed; he was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan.
Richard especially enjoyed the company of a niece and grandniece and their family, who lived in Milton Freewater. Having lived alone for so long, he appreciated living near family again.
Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Powell Jr., his mother, Rosalee Powell, and his father Robert Powell Sr.
He is survived by his sister, Terry Bartolaba (Gene) of Sitka; nephews Mike Bartolaba (Mindy) and Greg Bartolaba (Angie) of Sitka and David Powell (Angel) and Richard Powell (Priscilla) of Las Vegas, Nevada; nieces Kristina Randolph (John) of Juneau, Mary Umbriaco (Ben) of Glacier Park, Montana, and Ruthie and Pepita Powell of Milton Freewater.
Correspondence may be sent to his sister, Terry Bartolaba, 443 Verstovia Ave., Sitka, AK 99835.
