Richard Albert Gronlund
January 5th, 1949 - July 24th, 2019
Rock Island, WA
Richard Albert Gronlund, age 70, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following a year- long battle with cancer. Richard, a resident of Ro...
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Richard Albert Gronlund
January 5th, 1949 - July 24th, 2019
Rock Island, WA
Richard Albert Gronlund, age 70, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following a year- long battle with cancer. Richard, a resident of Rock Island, WA, passed away peacefully at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, WA, surrounded by family.
Richard was born on January 5, 1949, in Tonasket, WA to Gus and Dorine (Austin) Gronlund. Growing up in the Okanogan Hills of northeastern Washington, he attended school in Republic. In February of 1966, he volunteered for the United States Army. He served tours first in South Korea and then in Vietnam, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E5) before being honorably discharged in September of 1968. Returning home, Richard went into the logging industry where he worked around the state, living in Washougal, Cashmere, Republic, Entiat, and the Wenatchee Valley. With his first wife Bonita (Davis) he had three children: Christopher, Nicola, and Adam. After leaving the logging industry, he worked as a diesel mechanic and various other jobs. He remarried to Audra Gilmore and settled in Rock Island, WA. Through most of his life he was an outdoorsman and he liked hunting, fishing, and camping. In his later years he was known for his gardening and his love of animals. He would also travel with his brother and sister taking vacations to Yellowstone, the Southwest and to visit family.
He is survived by three children: Christopher (Sunghee) Gronlund of Kent, WA, Adam (Wendie) Gronlund of Monitor, WA and Nicola Cribb of Entiat, WA; brothers: Ernest (Sara) Gronlund of Leavenworth, WA, Don (Sybil) Gronlund of Inchelium, WA, Fred (Lynn) Gronlund of Cheney, WA and Steve Gronlund of Rock Island; WA; sister, Audrey Hurd of East Wenatchee, WA; six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Dorine (Austin), his wife, Audra, and his half-sister, Billie Jean Neitch.
A Memorial Service, with military honors, will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1301 10th St NE, East Wenatchee, WA, 98802. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Richard to SightLife.org or a charity of your choice. You are invited to view Richard Gronlunds online tribute at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com to share a memory or leave condolences. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee & Cashmere.
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