Richard C. Washam Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Washam died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 31st, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Nunica, Michigan on January 12, 1927, the son of Amanda (Rollenhagan) and Albert Washam, the youngest of a family of five children. In 1944 he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in the Philippines and attaining the rank of sergeant. After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of Michigan on the GI Bill, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In his years at University, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Jean Ainsley, a registered nurse; they were married on July 19, 1952. Their journey of almost sixty years together found residences in Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Connecticut and New York: followed by retirement in Asheville, North Carolina in 1992. He spent most of his professional life in the employment of IBM, his career advancing into management positions; a long road from his humble beginnings on the family farm. He was a proud man, of all he had accomplished, and of the life he lived. He was a loving and wonderful family man, valuing his wife and children above all else. He and Jean built and renovated several homes, filling them with furniture and objects collected through a lifetime. He loved the outdoors. Throughout his life he was an avid hunter and fisherman; looking forward every year to his deer hunting adventure with his son-in-law Frank. He landscaped and planted extensive flower and vegetable gardens, in which he delighted in working from dawn to dusk, showing particular attention to his amazing roses. He is survived by his three daughters, Kimberly Washam, Krista Washam LaBlue (David Dietrich), and Karen (Frank) Dobrinski. He was the proud Grandfather of Kathryn Dobrinski, Ryan (Meghan) Dobrinski, and Rebekkah LaBlue; and the Great Grandfather of James and Caroline Dobrinski. During his lifetime he experienced the loss of his beloved wife Jean; his brother Judson Washam sisters Marjorie Dearing, Carol Cayan, and Kathleen Spence; and his faithful canine companion, Patches. The family will receive friends at the Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, on Saturday evening, Aug 6, from 5 to 7 pm. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm Sunday at the Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch Street. Arrangements are entrusted to Morris Funeral and Cremation Care. An online obituary and registry are available at www.morrisfamilycare.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to AMVETS National Service Foundation, http://amvetsnsf.org/donations.

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Richard C. Washam

January 12, 1927 - July 31, 2022