Dr. Dick E. Bacon Obituary (1920

Richard “Dick” Edward Bacon, 93, of Ellensburg passed away on July 14, 2013. He was born on January 9, 1920 in Wapato, Washington to Stella and John Bacon. Dick attended grade school in Yakima and graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1938. He took college courses at Central Washington University prior to enlisting in the USMC. He graduated from flight school in Corpus Christi, TX where he met the love of his life, Clara Foreman, from Waterloo, Iowa. They had one date and then married in March 1943 and lived in wedded bliss together for 70 years. Two weeks after marriage, Dick was sent to the Pacific Theater as a WWII dive-bomber pilot, proudly wearing the rank of Captain. He served in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bouganville for 18 months. Upon return, he was stationed in North Carolina to prepare for a 13-month assignment to China. In 1945 Dick was honorably discharged with five Presidential Citations and two Medals of Honor in Seattle. He attended University of Washington Dental School and graduated with the very first class of licensed dentists in 1950. Dick began his dental practice in Seattle, relocated to Chelan, Washington for seven years, then returned to Ellensburg in 1957 – finally retiring in 1982. Dick loved golf, bridge, gin rummy and, of course, his daily Yahtzee games with Clara. He was known for his quick wit and a great sense of humor. Dick was very much loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Clara; sons, Robert of Vancouver and Gregory; daughter, Midge (Ed) Church of Pe Ell, WA; grandchildren, Trevor, Stephanie, Courtney, Cari, and Taylor; and great grandchildren, Holly, Christian, Tatum, Haley, Seth, and Jake. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Ellensburg Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kittitas County Hospice or a charity of your choice. Leave your memory of Dick online at www.valleyhillsfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima.