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Paul Francis X. Dunigan Jr.
06/22/1948 — 01/09/2025
From Richland, WA | Born in Richland, WA
Rosary
Mass
Celebration of Life
Paul Francis X. Dunigan Jr.
Paul F.X. Dunigan, Jr. was born to Paul F.X. Dunigan, Sr. and Eva Reckley Dunigan in Richland, WA during a rare desert flood on June 22, 1948. He passed away in Richland on January 9, 2025.
He attended Christ the King grade school and graduated from Columbia High School in 1966. He double majored in chemistry and biology at Gonzaga University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1970, before achieving a Master of Science degree in environmental science from Washington State University in 1972. After completing his studies, Paul began working for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission/Department of Energy. During his 35-year career, he contributed to several programs, including the creation of the Hanford Reach National Monument.
He married Beth Henricks in April 1978 and had two daughters. He enjoyed being an active member of his community. He was an Eagle Scout and in ROTC as a young man. He was a member of the parish council and Chancellor’s Club at Christ the King church. An avid train and airplane fan, he volunteered at local air shows for several years, attended train shows across the country, and enjoyed visiting aviation museums with his family.
Paul is survived by his wife, Beth; daughter, Katie, her husband Daniel, and four grandchildren; daughter, Theresa; and cousins, John DiNapoli II and Dorothea Baernthaler.
Rosary will be recited at 11:30 a.m. with a memorial mass to follow at 12:00 p.m. on February 1st at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland with a small celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Christ the King School or Gonzaga University.
I remember Paul from university days — a warm, gentle, good-humored man and a good friend during those young years at Gonzaga.
Praying for him and for the consolation of his family.
[Two guest books seem available for Paul. This message is repeated on Legacy as well.]
Paul was the best NEPA Compliance Officer DOE ever had. His knowledge of Hanford was unsurpassed, and his work ethic was dogged. I worked for Paul for several years and he and I would roam across the Hanford site doing “NEPA Audits.” His stories about the production days of Hanford were entertaining from the owls in the Snively barn, to where the silver dollars that were originally used to trap the I 129 and 131 were buried. Paul had a peculiar ability to read large documents and retain small details during extended editing sessions. Paul’s demeanor was jovial, although he could get serious, such as the time a PNL employee told Paul he didn’t have a need to know about a PNL project that we found in the desert. I missed Paul when he retired, and I still miss him today. Condolences to Beth and his daughters. He proudly talked about them quite often.
You will be missed. Wish you all the best!
I do remember Paul from our years at Christ the King School, though he was probably not in any of my classes there. Of course, we both attended Richland High School together, but that was a much bigger school and our classes never overlapped. Still, his name is very familiar as was his presence.
Guestbook for
Paul Francis X. Dunigan Jr.