Richard Samuel Eichler | Obituary

August 12, 1931 – July 3, 2025

Our father, Richard Samuel Eichler, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. He died in his beloved home of 61 years on Mercer Island, WA, with his loving family at his side.

As part of a large German immigrant family, Dick was born the youngest of 12 in Wapato WA on August 12th,1931 where he learned the qualities of love, friendship, hard work, and laughter, which guided him the rest of his amazing life. Dad was a loving, caring, compassionate, patriotic, Christian man who would always help those in need. Dad was a man you wanted by your side whenever you faced a challenge in your life. A guiding hand, a quite word of support: he was always there for us.

After graduating from CWU in 1953 with a degree in economics, dad served his country in the US Army for three years and then went on to the UW where he was a member of the Alpha Tao Omega fraternity and met his future wife Janet Adair in 1957. After graduating with his master’s in business in 1958, dad and Mom were married in 1959 and started their incredible 67-year marriage in a little two-bedroom home in Laurelhurst, eventually moving to Mercer Island in 1964.

Dad and Mom started their family in 1960 with the arrival of William Eichler (Gig), followed by Sally Moore (Tod), Krista Jurkovich (Brad) and Tim Eichler (Denise). We are so blessed to have given dad eight wonderful Grandchildren: Alysa, Whitney, Janet, Corey, Benjamin, Annie, Arlin, Ethan and Logan. Dad also got to know his 11 Great Grandchildren as well.

Dad was always supporting our passions, from coaching the “Little Red Devels” soccer team, to sponsoring his grandchildren’s “Little Red Devels” basketball team and being at every football game or taking us on wonderful fishing trips. He never missed a dance recital or stage performance.

There was no bigger Husky fan than dad. As a tyee club member, he held season football tickets for 62 years, and he almost never missed a game. He truly had purple and gold running through his veins.

While dad was being an incredible father, he was equally an amazing businessman, where he rose up through the ranks of Allied Stores, culminating in dad being president of Winmar Commercial Real Estate. In his career, he developed such landmarks as Southcenter Mall, Tri-City Mall, Tacoma Mall and Redmond Town Center, as well as numerous properties around the U.S. Dad built trust and camaraderie with everyone he worked with, weather his fellow executives, or the front desk receptionist, dad was respected and admired by all that worked with him. Dad was the guy who would close a multi-million dollar deal in the morning and would be in his shorts and a T-shirt painting the guest bedroom in their house at 9:00 PM that night. During his career, dad was so fortunate to be surrounded by associates who were truly his dearest friends, including Marv Boys, Norm Seethoff, Ron Roberts, Rady Kite, and Jim Linton.

Dad and Mom were so lucky to have Dennis and Nancy Hein, his nephew and niece, to travel the country and the world with. Much, love, laughs and some crazy adventures were had by the four amigos.

Dad was an outdoorsman who loved to camp, fish, hike, boat and more. Throughout his life, he cared for all his wonderful dogs; McDuff, Hobie, Natty, Bently and Molly. He was truly an animal lover and had a deep connection with nature.

Thank you for always being their dad and for your love, support, guidance and kindness. The world is a better place because of you. We will always love you. Rest in peace.

A memorial service will be held on August 6th, at 11:00 AM at St Monica church on Mercer Island. A reception following the service will be held at the Seattle yacht Club.