Obituary of Ruben Richard Wakeley

Dick Wakeley, age 69, died peacefully at his Puyallup home surrounded by friends and family. Dick had battled prostate cancer for many years before his death on Thursday, July 23, 2009. He was born on September 25, 1939 to Ruben and Cora Wakeley in Commerce OK, the youngest of four siblings. The family lived in many locations including Kellogg ID before finally settling in Corvallis OR where he graduated from high school and Oregon State University with a Bachelors Degree in Forestry. In 1963 he married Linda Cantrell in Eugene OR before moving to Tacoma to begin their family and his career with Weyerhaeuser that spanned 37 years. Dick and Linda raised two sons in Milton WA and he willingly adopted the role of mentor and father figure to their son’s friends. Many hours were spent nailing shingles onto his roof, or pulling insulation under the floors of a house that seemed constantly under construction. Not all was work, however, as many weekends were enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting though they never killed anything. At Weyerhaeuser Dick joined the “Jolly Crew,” a young professional group that innovated change in the forestry programs in that company. In his role as director of Timberlands Inventory Operations, Dick was known for breaking ground in hiring a diverse generation of professionals. In particular, he offered opportunities to women with a variety of backgrounds, including Forest Management, Remote Sensing, Forest Biometrics, Geographic Information Systems, Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics, to fill jobs which had traditionally been held by men. The hardships Dick experienced with his family helped shape the man he was to become. He was compassionate being who was always the first to help anyone in need. Whatever he was asked to take on, he did well and set a pattern for others to follow. Dick set ethical and performance standards for many to follow. Dick was predeceased by his father Ruben, 1963 and mother Cora in 2003. Survivors include his wife, Linda and their two sons Richard Wakeley of Seattle; Robert Wakeley, Everett; sisters Gladys Tidwell, Lincoln City OR; Lowetta Hoskins, Everett; Ruby Husted, Lincoln City OR; daughters-in-law Carey Wakeley, Everett and Diana Wakeley Bothell; grandchildren Ryker and Gage Wakeley, Everett and Kaytlyn Wakeley, Bothell, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial services and a celebration of his life will be held at Rock Creek Gardens on August 10,2009 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society Relay For Life fund, in care of Joshua Keaton; or to the Tacoma Rescue Mission. Our beloved PopPop, your handprint is on our hearts. Stronger than any mountain cathedral Truer than any tree ever grew Deeper than any Forest primeval I am in love with you Dan Folgelberg