| Richard Stack |
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Whether you knew him as “Richard”, or “Dick”, “Rich” or just “Doc”, he will long be remembered as “A Gentleman and A Gentle Man.”
 That’s how his friends described him in an article that was written about him in On Target magazine, a little newspaper for hunters and trap-shooters some years ago. Richard loved to shoot trap, hunt birds and big game as well as to fish. He developed a passion for target shooting as a young man in the ‘40’s when he served in the CMTC (Civilian’s Military Training Corp), where he learned to shoot so well. He also became a pretty decent lightweight boxer in his spare time there with the guys at the camp. He was a member of the Lewiston and the Boise Gun Clubs over a period of 40 years, and was the oldest shooter there at 85 when he decided he was finished with it.
Richard passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 in his sleep. He was born August 4, 1921 to Molly and Emmett G. Stack, Richard lived a full 88 years, being predeceased by his younger sister, Mary Winkle, and his younger brother, Roger Stack. As kids they were known as, “Pich, Pog (poj), and Perry.” Richard grew up in Coos Bay, OR, (then called Marshfield) being close to his brother, Roger, and his 1st cousin, Tom Stack. The three of them went to medical school together, and were later known among family members as “The 3 Amigos.” After graduating from Oregon State University in 1946, and the University of Oregon Medical School in 1948, he interned at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane and later practiced in Ephrata, WA. Richard served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War for 2 years as a Medical Officer at the base hospital in Moses Lake, WA, leaving as a Captain in 1951. He practiced medicine in Lewiston for over 34 years in the specialty of Urology. He partnered for many years with Dr. Russell Scott, and then by himself after Dr. Scott’s retirement. He served as Chief of Staff for a time, during his many years associated with St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was a well-liked and respected physician and surgeon, and was known from one end of the state to the other. Richard had an incredible memory for people’s names and their situations, even decades after he treated them or their family members. They found him to be genuinely kind and gracious, with an easy laugh and a chronically positive outlook, just like his mother, Molly, had. When he was doing his medical residency in Spokane, he met a beautiful Canadian/American X-ray Technician named Marie. She used to joke that, “We met in the dark room and he told me he was rich, so I married him. I didn’t find out until a year later that it was only his name!” They were married for 40 years until she passed away in 1990, only a few months after he retired. They have two children, Jim, who lives in Seattle and Val, who lives in Meridian with her husband, Paul. A few years after Marie passed, Rich married a childhood friend and classmate from Marshfield, OR, named Veva Peterson Billingsley, then widowed. They actually used to double date when they were about 14, but never dated each other, they each dated the other friend. They graduated together in 1939 from Marshfield High School, and were happily married for 13 years before she also passed away. So even with numerous health ailments over the years, he managed to outlive 2 wives, over 53 years of marriage! A stubborn Irishman (something he was very proud to be), he finally agreed to move down to Meridian, near his daughter, Val, in the middle of 2006. He used to tell people he moved down here so she could keep an eye on him. He lived in a great little neighborhood called “James Place”, and grew to appreciate the friendship of the people there. Some have remained friends with him years after he moved into assisted living. The family appreciates the care and support they gave him while he was there, and in the time since. He moved to his final residence at Meadow Lake Village two years ago, where staff and caregivers came to love him, as well. Being in the minority at that stage of life, you could often hear comments from some of the female residents like, “I’d like to have that cute little doctor come and sit right next to me at dinner!” Everyone there knew him, and said he was one of the nicest, easiest people to get along with. He made it very easy to want to be near him. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held this Saturday, July 10, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Meridian, at 11:00 a.m. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.AccentFuneral.com His urn will be interred in a plot next to Veva’s grave in Coos Bay, OR, soon. Marie had been cremated after her death, and her ashes were spread in a favorite spot of hers up the Snake River from Lewiston, preferring no gravesite. We will all miss him tremendously.
CondolencesSender: Mike Bell M.D.
I came to Lewiston in 1972 to practice Radiology. I worked with Dick Stack at St. Joe's Hospital and the Lewiston Clinic. An excellent physician, respected by all of his peers. An even better person loved by his Peers and patients. I learned from Dick, not only in medicine but in dealing with people. A very patient man and an excellent teacher. I saw Dick interact with both of his wives and what a caring and kind person he was with him. He will be missed by all that knew him. With Regrets, Mike Bell M.D.
Sender's Name: Bill Andrews
My condolences to Jim and Val. Though I haven't seen either of you for many years, it was always a great pleasure to see Dick at the Lewiston Gun Club. A true gentleman who will be missed by many!
Sender's Name: Celeste Blattler, LPN (retired) Sender's Name: Dale (Patterson) Groenendyk, RN Sender's Name: Chris Johnson Sender's Name: Molly Maland Falkner
Hey, Jim, I am over in Idaho for part of the Summer and saw your Father's death announcement in the Lewiston Morning Tribune and I wanted to say hi and express my deepest sympathy to you and your Sister. I know that your Dad was a great man. Take care, Jim. Sender's Name: Brent Fisher, M.D. & Joy Sender's Name: Jim and Barb Geary
We were so saddened to hear about Richard and wanted you to know that all the "old gang" in Lewiston was thinking of you. The night before we saw the obituary, we had been talking about how much we missed him and Veva and all the fun dinners, shoots and ice cream we had with them. The group was never the same without their grace and conversations. We have lots of happy memories of the time we had them in our lives. We know you will miss him terribly, and just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts. Sender's Name: Dana Brackett
To Jim, Val and family....The Lord has called yet another angel...and his name is Richard. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sender's Name: Bruce Givens
Val & Jim,my Dad & I wanted to wanted to let you know how sorry we are for your loss. I can remember going hunting with your dad & mine and him saying how much he liked hunting with Jim (my father) and dad saying why's that, because you alway bring the lunch. He was such a nice man. Not to mention the ski trips to Mcall, those were the best of times. Sender's Name: Al Banta
Doc Stack operated on me for kidney cancer in 1988. After being diagnosed I contacted Virginia Mason in Seattle. They told me to stay home in Lewiston, and that I had one of the best surgeons anywhere! Up until I lost track of The Doc I called him every year and thanked him for saving my life. I also was privileged to shoot trap with him on many occasions. God Speed Doc! Al Banta Sender's Name: Mary Armstrong Unkeles |