Richard (Dick) Gordon Kerschner went onto his heavenly home in the early morning of July 25th after a long battle with heart disease. He was 75 years old. He was born in Junction City, Kansas on Sunday the 15th of December 1946 to Ralph and Rosalie (Kelly) Kerschner being their third child born of seven.
Richards’s family settled in Agnew, WA where he attended the Sequim School District and went on to graduate from Port Angeles High School in 1965. After graduation, Richard met the love of his life Beverly (Hull) while she was working as a waitress at the Bear Creek Cafe. The two wed on June 24th, 1966 and soon welcomed their son Ronald and a daughter Christi. Richard was a hard-working man that enlisted into the Navy and then drafted to the Army.
He also worked as a splitterman for various mills surrounding the Forks area including; Crown Zellar, ITT Rayonier & Hoh River Cedar. Richard shifted his occupations from millwork to corrections serving as both Dispatch and Police Officer for the Forks Police Dept as well as the Port Townsend Police Dept. while his children were young. Rich-ard also dedicated his time working as an EMT for Forks Ambulance for many years. Richard completed his line of work with the Washington State Dept of Corrections as a corrections officer where he medically retired.
He loved to take trips and travel once taking his family on a summer vacation visiting 18 states. He loved the game of Rook, Cribbage, and Rum-my which he enjoyed teaching to his children, grandchildren and any other who wanted to learn the game, it was a holiday tradition. While health allowed he loved to fish and hunt, cut firewood and ride motorcycles of both off-road and on-road. His last being a RZR ride with family and a grandson as his chauffeur.
Richard loved his family dearly and he loved the Lord. He was a lifelong member of the Forks Assembly of God where he completed many tasks from being a Commander in the Royal Ranger Program to helping in the youth programs and Sunday School along with his wife Bev. He completed the Berean Course and was well known for his Famous Taco Salad both in church and outside of church, it was always a request for any gathering!
Richard is survived by his wife of 56 years Beverly (Bev), son Ron (Jamie) Kerschner, daughter Christi (Mike) Peterson, grandchildren Christa (Bob) Baker, Mike (Katelynn) Peterson, Tyler (Hayle) Kerschner, Mitchel (Kassidi) Peterson & Katelynn Kerschner. Great grandchildren Ava, Sally Jo, Tomlin Ray & Etta Mae Baker, Dallas & Harper Peterson, Andrew, Aaron & Adam Peter-son, and Paxton & Julia Kerschner all of Forks, brothers Ray (Debbie) Kerschner of Enumclaw, WA, Russell (Erika) Kerschner of Vancouver, WA, sisters Pam (Bob) Bentz of Reardan WA, & Susan Van Ausdle of Port Angeles WA.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Rose Kerschner, brother Ralph Jr. & sister Muriel DeAnne Kerschner. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 11 a.m. at Forks Assembly of God with a luncheon to follow in Morlin Hall.
