December 19, 1931 – September 29, 2023
Richard George Loushin was born in Forks, WA to Jack and Gladys (Sands) Loushin of Beaver, WA. Richard was the second eldest of 5 brothers and one sister. Richard attended the Quillayute High School in Forks, WA graduating in 1951.
In 1954, Richard enlisted in the US Army and attended boot camp at Fort Ord, California. After boot camp, Richard worked primarily in the military police serving in the East African country of Eritrea where the United States still maintained forces following World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1957 and returned to the United States and began working in the logging industry. Richard worked at the Smith Shingle Mill in Beaver, WA for 27 years and later the Allen Lumber Mill for 20 years, eventually working as a shift foreman. Richard also served the local community volunteering with the Beaver Fire Department while he lived there.
In 1960, he married Laurie Dawkins and they settled in Beaver, WA. They raised three daughters and in 1972 built a new home and moved into the city of Forks, WA. Richard enjoyed annual summer vacations and camping trips with his family. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, clamming and hiking.
Richard was an especially skillful fisherman often catching a salmon or steelhead when others caught none. Richard and Laurie loved the Pacific Northwest beaches and built a home in Ocean Shores, WA where they also spent weekends and vacations with family. After retirement, Richard traveled with Laurie on several cruises and trips to Hawaii, Alaska and the Panama Canal. He made a few solo trips with his brother-in-law, Mike Dawkins, horseback riding in Montana. Avid pro football fans, Richard and Laurie became season ticket holders at the Kingdome to the inaugural Seattle Seahawks season in 1976 and continued that membership for many years.
After 51 years of marriage, Richard’s wife Laurie passed in 2011 and Richard continued to live in their home until 2016 when he moved to Olympia where he lived the final years of his life with his daughter Debbie and son-in-law, Kyle. His backyard deck overlooked property that was often filled with deer, squirrels, raccoons and many birds. He took pride in keeping his bird feeders well stocked. In addition, he enthusiastically helped Debbie and Kyle manage their small farm caring for horses, donkeys and goats.
Richard will be remembered for his calm demeanor, good sense of humor and easy-going personality. At work he took pride in skillfully managing his crews to out-perform other shift crews. He really loved nature and animals. He had many pets over the years, but he really enjoyed his cat, “Buddy” in the later years of his life.
Surviving brothers: Charlie Loushin of Beaver, WA and Fred Loushin and Beverly of Beaver, WA.
Daughters: Debbie Anderson and Kyle of Olympia, WA, Brenda Schulte and Tim of Otis Orchards, WA and Pam Lee and Kelly of Olympia, WA.
Grandchildren: Michael Dilley and Amy of Forks, WA. Stephanie Harmon and Mark of Olympia, WA. Tyler Anderson of Hayden Lake, Idaho.
Great-grandchildren: Haley, Hannah and Landen Harmon of Olympia, WA and Avery, Logan and Aubrey Dilley of Forks, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an animal shelter, animal support charity or a charity of your choice.
A “Celebration of Life” home gathering is planned in Olympia in December 2023, interested family and friends can contact Debbie Anderson for more information.
