Richard Cunningham

Richard Walter Cunningham passed away on October 15, 2018 with his family at his side. He was born July 28, 1931 at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Wenatchee. He attended Wenatchee Schools and was a member of the famous undefeated Wenatchee Panther football team of 1948 who tied for state championship in a thrilling Thanksgiving Day game, outplaying the Seattle team in all respects. He graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1950, and served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1955. He married Barbara Ann Esterby in 1953 and worked for Alcoa for two years before completing his teaching degree at Central Washington University. Richard, or “Dick” as he was known, was a popular teacher of History and Social Studies and football coach at Orchard Junior High for 30 years. He married Nilene Dalgren in 1985 , she preceded him in death. Finding love once again, he married Ellen Greenwood in 2003. Dick was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Joseph’s Catholic church. Among his favorite memories were the many years he supervised students on educational trips to the Eastern US. In retirement, he loved travel and often regaled friends and family with the amazing sights, sounds and experiences of his trips; his favorite and the one that made him light up was the safari he enjoyed in 2004 with his wife Ellen and dear friend and colleague, Paul Pugh. Dick was past president of the Wenatchee Gyro club, an international social and service club. He loved boating, was a member of the Apple Country Snowmobile club, and was an artistic wood worker and soapstone carver. Many summers Dick could be found working fire crews for the US Forest service or building custom woodwork and cabinetry for restaurants with his lifelong friend, Bill Bruggman. Richard Cunningham is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen Cunningham (Moore), his daughters; Kathleen Cunningham (Reed Gibson) of Vancouver, Washington, Cynthia Brown (David Klanke) of Wenatchee, a son, Joseph Cunningham, five grandchildren; David (Racheal) Erickson of Portland, Oregon, Michelle (Tim) Hedges of Wenatchee, Althea (Joshua) Castro of Wenatchee, Samantha Smith of Yakima, and Taylor Hansen of Vancouver, Washington. Richard was blessed with five great grandchildren. He is also survived by step-son, Kurt (Clory) Dahlgren of Olympia, with whom he had a special relationship. He is preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Probst, and his parents. A Funeral Mass for Richard Cunningham will be held Monday, October 22, 2018, at 11:00 AM, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 625 S. Elliott, Wenatchee, WA, with a luncheon following. Memorials may be made to Knights of Columbus and Lighthouse Ministries.

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Richard Cunningham

July 28, 1931 - October 15, 2018