Richard Cartner Holmer

It is with heavy hearts that we part with our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Dick had been battling the demons of Parkinson's and Lewy-body dementia for several years and four days after his 80th birthday, he passed away with family by his side-now he is at peace. Dick was born on October 13, 1935 in Boston, MA to Walter and Blanche (Cartner) Holmer. He spent his early years on the sidelines at Boston College and Colby College "helping" his father coach football. When he was old enough Dick moved from the sideline to the playing field participating in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from Morton High School, Morton, IL in 1953 he entered the US Army serving in Korea. Upon discharge he enrolled in Western Illinois University in 1956. Here he met his bride, Colleen Sauder, and they had 57 wonderful years together. Dick and Colleen's first home was in Morton, IL where daughters Julie and Jan were born. Son, Jeff, was born after a move to California where Dick worked for Lockheed Aircraft as a cost accountant and contract negotiator. In 1970 Dick moved his family to Cheney, WA to get out of the "rat race" and get his teaching degree at Eastern Washington State College. While in Cheney Dick bought a 4x4 rig he named the "Big Kahuna" and proceeded to spend most weekends with it loaded with his family and camping gear. It was on these excursions that Dick taught his 3 J's his silly songs about the Mississloppy River, the Thursday Meeting of the Friday Club and the Two Dead Boys Who Shot Each Other. After earning his teaching certificate Dick went to work at Cashmere High School teaching accounting and business classes from 1972-1989. Dick loved teaching, coaching baseball, leading the Alpine club into the mountains for camping trips and mentoring his advisees in "Dick's Ducks". After retiring from teaching his next ventures included orchading, building a new home complete with handcrafted rock walls and managing Holmer Rentals. He led a busy life! Dick loved the outdoors and bow hunting. He could turn any conversation into a discussion about hunting. He was eager to mentor anyone interested in the sport, including many of his grandchildren. Dicks custom made arrows were highly treasured by everybody lucky enough to have a quiver full. Each fall Colleen accompanied him on elk hunts near John Day, Oregon. Then he was back in Washington to hunt with his long-time hunting partners. Colleen and Dick spent 25 wonderful years wintering in AZ where Dick hunted javelin, played softball, tennis, pickleball and socialized with friends from the entire U.S. and Canada. Senior softball was another passion of Dick's. He and Colleen traveled from Canada to AZ and many points in between playing in tournaments and making life-long friends. His last team in Wenatchee was particularly enjoyable for Dick because his daughter, Jan, played on the time with him. Dick's children would like to offer the following comments as a tribute to their very special Dad and Mom: Jeff: The thing that amazes me the most about Dad is the lives he touched. Every week I'm approached by someone who was influenced by him. Watching Dad over the last years has been living hell, I'm so relieved his fight is over. I will miss my friend very much. Thank you Mom for loving Dad the way you did, you made this bearable for us all. I love you dearly. Jan: Dad's last few years were not what he would have wanted. It was with such grace and respect that Mom cared for Dad. There were moments of complete awareness like the time my daughter Whit said goodbye to him and he said "I love you today, I love you tomorrow, I love you forever", or he would call Jeff his "good boy". We eventually had to place Dad at Blossom Creek were he kept the aides hopping. Even in his diminished state he was curious and would take things apart or tip them over to see how they worked. Thank you Blossom Creek for your patience and kindness towards Dad. I will forever cherish our time together on the softball field. I was one lucky gal to have you and mom as parents. Thank you Dad for loving me. Julie: Among the most valuable things Dad taught me was that "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". These words have served me well as a teacher, coach, spouse and friend. Some of my best memories of Dad are the hours we spent when I was growing up watching football games on TV and then running outside to play catch during halftime. I am so thankful that Dad picked such a loving, caring, selfless woman to be his wife and our Mother...well done Dad. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Blanche Holmer. He is survived by his wife Colleen; daughters, Julie (Jim) Cannon of Entiat, Jan Holmer of Wenatchee and son, Jeff (Galina) Holmer of Cashmere; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren; two brother in-laws, Tom Sauder, and Mike (Marce) Sauder of Tremont, Illinois. There will be a Celebration of Dick's life on May 13th, at Walla Walla Point Park, Wenatchee. You are invited to view his online guestbook and leave memories or condolences at: www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Richard Cartner Holmer

October 13, 1935 - October 17, 2015