"Pappy" Richard "Dick" Norman Pabst

Dick Pabst peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 200, at home, 
surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin on January 14, 
1930 to Clarence and Ora Pabst. He was one of nine children, and was preceded in 
death by both his parents and his sister Dolly. He attended school at Sunnybrook 
County School in Turtle Lake while working on the family farm. He worked in Chicago 
for 2 years during the winter months before moving to Dayton, Ohio to live with his aunt. 
In 1948 he joined the Army Engineers and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and 
Germany. He came to Fort Lewis in 1950. He was discharged in Wisconsin in 1952, 
but returned to Olympia to make his home. Dick worked at Fort Lewis and McChord Air 
Force Base in civil service refueling planes, and as a heavy equipment operator for 31 
years, retiring in 1985. Dick married Shirley Noel (Turner) in January 1951; they later 
divorced. He then married Georgie Williamson of Elma on November 23, 1955; they just 
celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Dick was an active community member and 
held offices in the Loyal Order of Moose and the Eagles. He was also a member of the 
Horseless Carriage Club with their antique cars, the V.F.W., and Thurston County 4-H 
Clubs. Dick was active with his son's dump truck and was a familiar sight in the South 
Bay area with his backhoe, bulldozer and/or tractor. He was always helping neighbors 
in need, quick with a joke and a smile, and a joy to be around. His long handle-bar 
mustache was always a conversation starter, and he loved to visit with friends and 
strangers alike. Dick loved to hunt, fish, play cards with his cronies, and travel with his 
family in their RV. The family enjoyed 3-wheeling at the sand dunes. He enjoyed the 
outdoors, along with the huge garden they planted and shared with everyone. Dick's 
collection of over 1000 miniature whiskey bottles was his pride and joy. But, most of all, 
his family came first. Dick is survived by his wife Georgie and son Butch, of the family 
home; daughters Nancy Freeny and husband Gary of Olympia, and Gloria Turner and 
husband Bill of Rainier; grandchildren Jeremy Turner, Jason Turner, Carrie Ooms, Josh 
Pabst and Tanaya Freeny; sisters Nancy Wolf, Shorty Humphry, Harriet Sollman, 
Jeanie Henck, Clara La Blance and Janet Marlett, all of Wisconsin; brother Raymond 
Pabst of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews, both from Wisconsin and locally. 
Dick's family takes comfort in his peaceful passing, as he is fishing and playing cards 
with his great pals Bob Marchel and Glenn Gallaher, catching all the little ones and 
winning nothing. The family invites you to a viewing on Saturday, November 29, 2003, 
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and to the memorial service on Sunday, November 30, 
2003 at 2:00 p.m., both at Mills & Mills Funeral Home on Littlerock Road in Tumwater 
(across from Costco). Burial will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at 
Satsop Cemetery in Satsop, Washington.

Pub Date: 11/29/2003
Tacoma News Tribune