Richard “Dick” A. Gilda Jr. of Bellingham passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 at the age of 77.
He was born April 11, 1939 in Bellingham to Richard and Juanita Gilda. He grew up on the South Side where he went to Fairhaven Junior High School and later graduated from Meridian High School. After graduation he played several years for the Bell Jets semi-pro football team. He also enjoyed many years traveling to Highland Games and competing in the caber toss and other Scottish field events.
Richard held various jobs including law enforcement, electronics sales and repair, and logging. He owned his own land consulting, clearing and maintenance business working mainly with TransMountain Oil Pipeline for 20 years. He also served on the Whatcom County Planning Commission and Washington State Pipeline Safety Commission and he participated in many other civic activities. Richard and his wife Janet had a small hobby farm and forest land. They were members of Whatcom Farm Forestry Association and helped with the annual tree sale. Together they attended Rome Community Bible Church where he was active for many years. He made two mission trips to the Philippines in the 1980s serving with Second Mile and OMF.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister who passed away at birth.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janet, and their children, Richard “Alan” Gilda III (Malinda), and Margaret (Scott) Hamstra; his daughters Janice and Jeanne (Gilda); brothers Robert (Karen) and Ed (Linda); sister Cathy (Jerry) Reece; grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in Rome Community Bible Church on the Mt. Baker Highway.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, Hospice or Rome Community Bible Church.
Please share your thoughts and memories of Richard online at: www.sigsfuneralservices.com.
