Venesky, Richard "Dick" 
Richard F. "Dick" Venesky
Richard "Dick" Venesky, 59, passed away on Sunday evening, November 23,
2008, surrounded by his family, in his home in Olympia following a four year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Dick was
born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dorothy and Andrew Venesky. He was raised in Bloomington, graduated from John F. Kennedy
Senior High School in 1967, and joined the United States Army in 1970. While serving his country, Dick also obtained an Associate
Degree in Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics.
After serving his country in
the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot, Dick continued his military service in Alabama, Virginia, Germany and finally in Washington
State. He was stationed at Fort Lewis and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4th Class after 20 years of service. Dick then
proudly served veterans and their families as a program manager with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)
until his death.
While serving in Germany, Dick met Sylvia Weinand. They married in 1976 and made their first home in
Washington where the following year they welcomed their son Floyd.
It was Dick's love of fishing, and the unending
supply of rivers and lakes with the increasing supply of homemade rods and lures, that made Washington the perfect fit. In
addition to his love of fishing, Dick enjoyed soccer. He not only coached his son in soccer, but was also a coach to new young
players for many years after.
Dick is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia in 1993; mother, Dorothy Bares; stepfather,
Alois Bares; and his beloved dog Buddy.
At the age of 50, Dick decided it was time to dust off the old mitt and started
playing softball again in a 50+ league. He loved the game very much and made everlasting friendships. The collection of softball
bats soon outnumbered the fishing rods in the garage and he will be remembered to his friends as the 'bat man'. Dick
and his wife, Evelyn, traveled for many years to softball tournaments where they spent many fun weekends with their softball
family. He considered his friends like family and wore his heart and emotions on his sleeve. There was nothing that Dick would
not do for anyone who asked, no matter how big or small.
Dick was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn; son, Floyd (fiancée Mistina Gunn); daughter, Sara (Brian) Euclide; granddaughters,
Amelia, Greta, and Ella Euclide; stepson, Mathew Harris; sisters Barbara, Marion, Diane, Deborah, and Eva Mae; many nieces,
nephews, and softball, fishing, work and longtime close friends.
The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Western
Washington Oncology for their compassion and care during the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00
a.m. on Friday, November 28, 2008, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Road SE, Lacey. Private burial, with full military
honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Auburn following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family
suggests memorial donations to the WDVA Homeless Veterans Transitional Housing, Bldg 9, PO Box 41155, Olympia, WA 98504-1155
or to Animal Services, 3120 Martin Way E, Olympia, WA 98506.
Published in The Olympian from 11/26/2008 - 11/27/2008
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