Richard Franklin Boolen, 80, passed away peacefully at home on December 6, 2013. He had a tremendous faith in Jesus Christ that shined through to everyone he met and loved. There is comfort in knowing he's now running free in Heaven, but we sure wish he would come back through the front door one more time and tell us who "the Man" was that he was always going to go talk to about buying a horse! Richard was born on August 29, 1933 in Fresno, California to Alfred and Leona Boolen. He was a longtime resident of Richland, moving his family here from Wenatchee in 1959 to begin a 40+ year career on the Hanford Site.

During Richard's childhood, his family moved between California and Oklahoma following his father's dream of having his own business. They farmed, logged, and worked at construction, laboring hard to raise their family. They eventually moved to the Wenatchee area, where Richard met the love of his life, Leta LaVerne. Richard and LaVerne were married in Coeur d Alene, Idaho on April 30, 1955.

After graduating from Wenatchee High School, in 1951, Richard joined the US Navy to serve our country during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Navy, Richard returned to Wenatchee and began working construction jobs, most notably on Rocky Reach Dam. During his early years he became a journeyman carpenter and electrician. Becoming very interested in the electrical field, he began taking correspondence courses in electrical engineering earning an Associate of Arts and Science degree from CBC. He continued his educational pursuits throughout his life with many credits gained in both electrical and mechanical engineering.

In the beginning of his career on the Hanford Site in 1959, Richard became an integral member of a team that researched and developed electron beam welding at Hanford's 300 Area. Some of his accomplishments included the development of laser remote encapsulation of various radio isotopes, most notably the first Strontium – 85 source encapsulation that was used for NASA's "Biosatellite Test Program". He also wrote an article entitled "Isotope Encapsulation by Electron Beam Welding" which was published with the Electrochemical Society in 1970. Richard was very patriotic and proud of his contributions to help ensure our country remained free.

Richard was a devoted, loving father and husband, always working to teach his family about a positive attitude in dealing with life's struggles. He set the bar high, but was always there to help us over. Life with Dad was filled creating precious memories – hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, and going to the first boat races on the Columbia, vacations to Disneyland, Yellowstone, Mexico and Canada. Even being at the dinner table with all eight of us was usually an adventure! During his last few weeks he was still teaching us, stressing the ultimate importance of time spent with family, constantly telling us how much he loved us and wanting the best for his family. His last words are still ringing in our ears…I love you LaVerne, I love you Paul, I love you Lane, I love you Scott, I love you Frank, I love you Susan, I love you, I love you, I love you…

Richard is survived by his wife LaVerne Boolen; sons Paul Shawna Boolen, Lane Linda Boolen, Scott Boolen, Frank Aiko Boolen and daughter SusanJeff Middlemas; grandchildren Christopher, Elizabeth, Michelle, Lyn LaVerne, Erin, Connor, Jessica, Ethan, Audrey, Dustin, Aimee, Jason, Jennifer, Noah, Miranda, Sara, and Jeffery; great grandchildren JJ and Jasmine and sisters Margaret Snell and Linda Meek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Leona, brother Jack and son Michael.

Contributions can be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy.