February 18, 1942 - June 1, 2024
Dick lived 82 wonderful years and passed peacefully at home with family by his side.
Born in Deer Lodge, MT, the son of Ronald C. Roark and Lou Roark (Brown). At a very young age his parents relocated to Twisp, WA. Growing up in the mountains and rivers of the Methow Valley Dick loved fishing, swimming in the river, camping, hiking, riding horses, hunting, chasing grouse and all things outdoors. In high school he was the captain of the football team, lettered in all sports and was the class salutatorian.
Dick’s love of all things outdoors and sporting was only eclipsed by the love of his life, Fern (Johnson). High School sweethearts, they danced, married young and never looked back. Dick and Fern celebrated over 63 years of marriage traveling the world. They moved to Medical Lake and started a family. A hard worker, Dick somehow managed to support his growing family while attending Eastern Washington State College (EWU) where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in 1965.
On graduation, Dick put his degree to work counseling troubled youth in Naselle, WA. Dick flourished as a people person. He never met a stranger and loved being in with his growing circle of friends. They hunted glass balls on rainy nights, salmon fished, rode Trail 90’s, hunted elk and deer, took their families to the ocean and had wonderful adventures. Dick then took a position selling insurance and moved briefly to Longview, WA, before returning to Medical Lake and ultimately to Spokane’s north side. He became part of management and ultimately founded his own agency.
Dick coached Pony League baseball for 13 years, serving as league president for several years, and league All Star coach, losing a heart breaker final game to attend the little league world series! He also served as Shadle Park HS Booster Club President while supporting his boys in sports. The annual State B basketball tournament was a family must where friends gathered to cheer on Naselle and other teams in Spokane.
He frequently returned to the Methow Valley as well as Lake Chelan where his parents lived on Manson Bay. He loved water skiing, playing cribbage under a big ol’ umbrella tree with his dad and brothers, Gary and Terry, and Tripoli with the whole family.
In retirement, he and Fern enjoyed entertaining family and friends, in Cancun, Flathead Lake, every one of the Hawaiian Islands, spending winters in the Arizona desert, attending family reunions, going on cruises, Rockford Bay, and of course spending time in their amazing flower garden.
With Fern, he was an active member of the St. Luke’s Lutheran church. A Third Degree Mason. He is survived by his sons Steve (Kris) and Dan (Marci), grandchildren Jared (Stephanie), Dylan, Mackenzie (Brady), Scott, Jon (Holly), and Lauren as well as great grandchildren Abby, Jaxon, Ruby, Theo, Harper, Elaine and Sienna. Dick was a positive force who encouraged his family and friends to live well and love each other.
A celebration of life with family and friends will be on June 29th at Manito Country Club at 11:00 am located at 5303 S Hatch Rd, Spokane WA 99223.
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