Richard Russell Dueman Sr. Obituary (2023)

Richard "Boomer" Dueman was born on July 10, 1943, and passed away peacefully, at the home of his daughter, Becky, on October 25, 2023. He was born to Irene (Coutts) Dueman and Russell Dueman. He married Kristine Alexander Hughes on July 8, 1967. Richard is survived by his wife, Kristine, his daughters, Karen (Andy) Schoenwald, Becky (Jason) Rolfs, and son, Rick (Amy) Dueman, his three grandchildren, Cassie (Scott) Younce, Katie Rolfs, and Austin Dueman, along with the many family and friends that he spent his life serving. The family was able to gather around him and spend time with him and each other as he prepared for his next adventure. Richard started his life out in Colville, Washington, where he was the second of four children. He was raised to work hard, picking produce and doing much farm work. One of the things his father taught him, which he had great pride in, was the ability to use a double ended saw. The knowledge came in very handy when he was overseas in the Army, and they had field day competitions. He gave his partner perfect instructions on how to smoke the competition, and that is just what they did. From Colville the family moved to Yamhill, Oregon, with a brief move to Sacramento, and then back up to Yamhill. He spent his elementary years in Yamhill and on through high school, where he graduated from Yamhill Carlton High School in 1962. He had many fond memories of playing football and getting into some trouble that Rick would be proud of, like going on a senior sneak up to Seattle. After graduating, he stayed in the area and worked for Judge Teagarden on his ranch as a farm hand. He enjoyed the animals and staying in the area around friends and family. In 1963, he went into the Army. After his basic training, he was shipped over to Germany, via a ship out of New York, to do engineering (building bridges and many other things). In a time where many of his friends were being shipped to Vietnam, he had a lot of heartache in the loss of some of those friends. For us kids it was hard to believe that dad had a life before us. In his Army travels he saw many wondrous things, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum with the Mona Lisa, Castles and the Temple in Bern Switzerland. We are not sure if sound travels in the Louvre but can't imagine that dad was too quiet. Upon being honorably discharged, he came to the Cashmere area, where his mom and stepdad were living, to work. He traveled down to Oregon to see his sister and went to a party where he met Kristine Hughes and started their courtship. Most of their dating was done through letters, which we have a pile of. In total they saw each other seven times from October 24, 1966, until they were married on July 8,1967. Dad purchased the home in Cashmere, where they lived until August of last year. In that home they raised three (not so perfect) children. Karen came along in February 1969, followed by Becky in 1971, and ending with Rick in 1972. They also took in some kids through the years that needed a place to land for a while. Many summers some of moms siblings would come and spend time with them. Our home was a perfectly imperfect place for kids to see imperfect people be good examples and work hard to do their best. Richard worked at Columbia Concrete, where he almost got killed when he was inside the concrete barrel of the truck, and someone turned on the blades inside. After that he started at Alcoa on October 2, 1967, where the nickname "Boomer" was born. He was there for 33 years, where he worked in the Potrooms, the Bake, and the shop. He finished out his time being a Fork Truck trainer at Alcoa and being involved in many fork truck rodeos. After retirement he worked with his friend, Sam, for three years, selling firewood. He loved bowling and served on the board of directors for the Bowling Association. His top score being 289, with his top three series being 701. He also loved coaching the kids bowling on Saturday mornings, which he did for 13 years. He always had a smile and playfulness that coached the kids along. He also spent many years working at the Chelan County fair, alongside mom in the youth building. The kids loved that crazy guy that was loud and made funny faces at them. Dad loved the gospel and had many callings. One of his favorite callings was being a home teacher. He had best friends in the people and families that he visited every month and more often. The connection to these people was never broken, even when he could no longer drive himself. It was always important to go see these friends, especially at Christmas time. He made sure he gave a bag of oranges, or later on, a Christmas popcorn cake, which he requested Becky make, four for his home teaching families and two for himself to enjoy. He loved them and he served them, they were his friends. Dad gave Rick his ability to serve, he would take Rick out to help those that needed it, whether Rick wanted to go or not. Dad was not a man of eloquent words. He was a man of service and friendship. That trait has stuck with Rick, who has shown up in his actions for dad and the rest of us through these hard changes in life. Dad gave Karen a love of music. He loved to sing Christmas songs, Primary Songs, and to the radio. Thankfully, unlike dad, Karen has a beautiful voice and can sing without scarring people or animals. He was very proud of her abilities. Dad gave Becki the ability to try to smile and make others smile, even in the worst times, which they practiced a lot in the last 23 days he was at her house. We all know that there are serious times and hard things to go through, but dad tried to get through it with a joking manner and a way to make others smile, or even feel a little better by lightning their load through service. He was very proud of his grandkids and the people that they have become and will be watching their progress. He was able to see Austin finish something that he has worked so hard for. He enjoyed the strength and spunk that Katie puts into everything. He saw Cassie pull herself up and become stronger than she thought possible. He loves you all. He enjoyed having the Olguin Family watching over them next door and being a holler away for the past 10 years. Mom and Dad worked hard through their married life. In their retirement age they were not travelers. They watched Mash together and Hallmark movies and enjoyed their dogs between Dad being outside and watching for deer and bear, or even skunks to wander across the yard and planes fly overhead. Dad loved mom, always. Letter Dated January 2, 1967: Dearest Sweetheart..Loves and Kisses RichardP.S. God bless and keep you till we meet again. Dad is preceded in death by his parents, Irene Stevens and Vern Stevens, Russell Dueman, brothers, Harold Dueman, Bill Eldred, and sister, Mary Conklin. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Wenatchee Youth Bowling. A Viewing will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 10:00-11:00am, at the Monitor Building, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00am. A Graveside Service will follow at the Cashmere Cemetery. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Visitation Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Friday, November 3, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 2821 Easy Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 Funeral Service Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Friday, November 3, 2023 11:00 AM 2821 Easy Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 Graveside Service Cashmere Cemetery Friday, November 3, 2023 ,