Richard Posthumus, aka “Butch” or “Dick,” was born on June 10, 1937 in Lynden to Maggie (Van Diest) and James Posthumus. He joined eight brothers and sisters on the family farm, where he spent the beginning and the end of his full life, passing away on April 17, 2018.
On July 6, 1957, he married the love of his life, Carolyn. Richard served in the U.S. Army, deploying to Korea in 1961 and being discharged in July 1962. He returned to Seattle where he was greeted by his wife and his 6-month-old daughter, Joy. Soon after, Dick began his 30-year career with the U.S. Post Office. Richard’s second daughter, Kathy, was born in 1963, and Lee was born in 1969. Dick received a transfer in 1978 to be assistant postmaster of the Bellingham Post Office. He moved his family north and he and Carol built their dream home on the family farm. Richard enjoyed being with his family, gardening, hunting and fishing.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carol; their three daughters: Joy (Wes) Born, Kathy (Ron) Stanford and Lee Posthumus (Elisabeth Starnes); seven grandchildren: Heather, Duane, Ed, Lindy, Deanna, Holly and Trevor; 11 great-grand-children: and two sisters: Margaret Rasmussen and Dorothy (William) Buckner.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Clarence, Harold and John; and his sisters: Marie McElhaney, Rita Koehler and Johanna Posthumus.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lynden Pioneer Museum or the Whatcom Community Foundation.
You may share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
