Richard W. Saunders is enjoying eternal peace. He passed away on February 16, 2025, in Seattle, WA, after a brave 15-year adventure with Parkinson’s Disease. Imagine Rich at peace, as he was when enjoying the outdoors, taking walks in the woods, in the mountains, or in a snow storm. He loved nature.
Rich was born in Oregon, to Wesley and Ethel Saunders. He and his sister Marie grew up in Cottage Grove, surrounded by family that included grandparents, aunts, uncles, first cousins, and many friends. It was an idyllic life that took him outside to be with nature, enjoying both stream and ocean fishing, as well as hunting for birds, deer, and elk. For Rich, the start of the trout or deer hunting season was as important as Thanksgiving or his birthday. He enjoyed a good story and would gladly share every detail of his adventures with you.
After graduation from Cottage Grove High School, Rich attended Oregon State University to earn a BS in Physical Science, and later Seattle University to earn a Master of Business Administration. His information technology career, as a civil servant for the federal government, took him from coast to coast. He worked with the Department of Army, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Navy, and the US Coast Guard.
Richard met his wife, Noel, in Newport News, Virginia; they were married in Arlington, Virginia. After moving to Bremerton, WA, for jobs at the Naval Shipyard, they settled on Bainbridge Island, WA, where they lived until moving to Seattle to be near their son, Wesley and daughter-in-law, Tiffani.
Rich thoroughly enjoyed living on, and becoming a part of, Bainbridge Island. He continued to be a long-time member of the Bainbridge Island Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and the Bainbridge Island Sportsman’s Club (BISC). He regularly volunteered for the Bainbridge Rotary Club Auction, and the Cascade Bicycle Club Chilly Hilly ride, as well as participating in many Bainbridge 4th of July fairs and parades. He was an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop 1496; with the Falcon Patrol, he mentored young men through teen years and encouraged many to complete Eagle Scout projects on Bainbridge Island.
After retirement Rich continued to make new friends by joining Parkinson’s Disease-specific exercise classes and support groups, both in person and online. On the national stage, Rich continued to be a supporter of environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy.
As active members of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church community, Rich, Noel and Wesley, helped it to grow. They volunteered in parish ministries including religious education, the parish library and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. As a family they were known for celebrating the “good Saint” Patrick every March at their home with friends.
Richard is survived by his wife Noel, his son Wesley, daughter-in-law Tiffani Gonzales, sister Marie Mueller, sisters-in-law Mary Ann and Doreen, brother-in-law Robert (Carol), niece Delia Surroz (Richard), and numerous nephews and their families. The family is grateful to the wonderful staff at the Virginia Mason Clinics and Hospital, and Skyline Health Services.
It will make Richard happy if you remember him as you, too, enjoy and care for each other and nature. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bainbridge Island Sportsman’s Club Scholarship Fund (PO Box 10421, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110) are suggested.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island, WA, reception to follow. The Mass will live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@SaintCeciliaParishBI
Interment will be held at a later date at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Seattle, WA.
