Richard Eldon Fincham
June 25, 1923 - October 29, 2010
Obituary
Richard Eldon Fincham
June 25, 1923 – October 29, 2010
Richard Fincham was born to Mabel and George Fincham on June 25, 1923 in Tacoma, Washington. He was soon joined by his brother, Robert, in 1925 and sister, Helen, in 1930. Tragically, George Fincham died several months after Helen’s birth due to an altercation with a shoplifter while working in Fallon, Nevada. It was at that time that Mabel Fincham relocated to Tacoma, Washington, where she raised her three children – long before single mothers were commonplace.
Mabel introduced her children to Christian Science, a religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy in the late 1800s. A discipline that espoused the celebration of goodness, the practice of love and the casting out of dis-ease through prayer, Richard remained a devoted student of Christian Science throughout his life.
Richard graduated from Stadium High School in 1941, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While serving in the Pacific theater, he sailed aboard the U.S.S. Hibbert, a destroyer used primarily to accompany battleships. He saw no action, but did endure what would be his most terrifying naval experience, a one-for-the-record-books typhoon in the Philippine Sea. According to Richard, three days were spent in fervent prayer, as his ship, along with dozens of others, were battered by rain and gusts of up to 185 mph. Those aboard the Hibbert were of the most fortunate, as the storm was responsible for sinking three destroyers, damaging 147 planes and taking the lives of 778 sailors.
Upon his discharge in 1945, Richard enrolled in the University of Puget Sound, then transferred to the University of Washington. It was here, in 1950, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Richard married Dorothy Velma Bennett in October, 1952. Together, they had three children: Marijayne, who was born in 1953, Lawrence, in 1958, and Terri in 1961. Baby Lawrence lived only a few days, due to complications of birth, a death of which Richard would rarely speak throughout his life.
Richard spent his professional life at Weyerhaeuser, beginning with his first job at the Raymond mill in 1952. He eventually made his way into the sales organization, where he ultimately retired as a Sales & Service Manager in the Wood Products Division. All told, Richard’s tenure was 36 years. He routinely expressed gratitude for his employment, knowing that despite his years of service, he could have easily been one of those who were laid off. He considered himself lucky and never took his positions for granted.
Upon retirement in 1988, Richard spent the remainder of his days doing what he loved – studying Christian Science, working in his garden, taking long walks, feeding his beloved backyard birds and spending time with his daughters and their husbands.
Always modest, unassuming, loving, kind and helpful, Richard spent his life with a smile on his face and a prayer in his heart. He looked for the good in people, and always found it.
Mother’s Evening Prayer
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science
O gentle presence, peace and joy and power;
O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour,
Thou Love that guards the nestling’s faltering flight!
Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight.
Love is our refuge; only with mine eye
Can I behold the snare, the pit, the fall:
His habitation high is here, and nigh,
His arm encircles me, and mine, and all.
O make me glad for every scalding tear,
For hope deferred, ingratitude, disdain!
Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear
No ill, – since God is good, and loss is gain.
Beneath the shadow of His might wing;
In that sweet secret of the narrow way,
Seeking and finding, with the angels sing:
‘Lo, I am with you alway’ – watch and pray.
No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain;
No night drops down upon the troubled breast,
When heaven’s aftersmile earth’s teardrops gain,
And mother finds her home and heav’nly rest.
Marijayne, hopefully this gets to you! I have wondered many times where you are! Hopefully you even remember me!
First of all, very sorry to hear your father passed away. I still remember your mom and dad and grandma very well. My mom is still alive, 89 yrs. She moved away from K street about 10 years ago. My dad passed away when I was 27 years old.
I live in Quinault, have 2 sons 27 & 29 years old and am a correctional officer at a big prison. I worked in the lumber mills for 29 years before that.
Gosh, I have always had fond memories of our very early childhood together and still remember your birthday! Do you remember Suitcase the big mean German shepherd?
My email address is spiritsisters@msn.com If you get this, send me a line! Francine Brongil I used to live across the street from you on 54th and Kay by Horace Mann
Please accept my condolences for your loss. The name “Fincham” jumped out in the Tacoma News Tribune as it’s not a common name. I believe that we are distant cousins; my mother’s maiden name is Fincham. From the family chart she says: My grandfather’s grandfather was Robert m. Emma Weekly Fincham who was a brother to your father’s grandfather’s grandfather. My mother is 92. The photo of Richard resembles many I’ve seen at the family reunion back in Iowa. And in the photo, it looks like he inherited a space between his two front teeth–something my mother and I also inherited. I moved to Tacoma in 1994 and never thought to look at the phone directory. We have photos of Finchams from the early 1900s who moved to the west coast via Montana. You might recognize them. If you are interested, you may contact me. I am very sorry for your loss.
WILL MISS RICHARDS SMILE,HE ALWAYS WAS UP BEAT AND NEVER WAS NEGATIVE.AS A STUDENT OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE I FEEL HE HAS REALIZED ALREADY THAT THERE IS NO DEATH,AND THAT HE WILL ONLY PROGRESS FORWARD.HE ALWAYS CARRIED A HEAVENLY OUT LOOK ON LIFE SO HE WAS ALREADY IN HEAVEN BEFORE HE PASSED AND WILL CONTINUE THERE.HIS FAMILY OF COURSE WILL MISS HIM,BUT AS WE WATCH LOVED ONE’S LEAVE THE SHORE ON A JOURNEY THE SHIP DISAPEARS IN THE HORIZON,BUT WE KNOW WE WILL SEE THEM AGAIN.
I am Robert’s eldest granddaughter. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that the brothers can be reunited in peace. God bless.
Richard was my uncle, my mother’s brother. My clearest memory of him was as a smiling man, who was cheerful at every family meal when we gathered at Mabel’s house, and who liked to play with his nephews and nieces.
I miss him. Thanks Terri and Marijayne for being so good for him.
Terri, I always new Dick but never new that much about him. I just know that he must have been simply a wonderful man as he raised a beautiful person in you as his daughter and my best friend. McCullough
Terri,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I remember your dad as such a kind, gentle man when I had the opportunity to visit with him at Western. I was sorry to read of his passing.
Terri and Doug – I am so grateful to have such dear friends who told me so many wonderful stories about your dear dad. I do feel as though I knew a sweet part of him and his life. My love and prayers are with you and may “everlasting arms of love” be always beneath, around and above you all.
Terri and Marijayne- Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dad. Terri, I know how special he was to you and you were very lucky to have each other. He is looking down on both of you with pride and love and that’s how you’ll keep him alive in your hearts. God Bless, Julie Back
Marijayne and Terri,
My heart is with you at this sad time. While I will always remember Uncle Richard with a big smile and loving soul, I recall the Christmas Eve’s we would spend at your home. Uncle Richard would always have games for us to play – and would join us in those games – laughing the whole time. I also remember he made root beer – would give us bottles of it, but we couldn’t drink it until what seemed like months later. I don’t remember actually drinking any of the root beer – I think my brothers got to it before I did. But I sure remember it smelled good.
You two, and your husbands, take care, and take comfort that thoughts of your Dad brings such happy memories.
A good long life with good kids left behind…..what more could you ask for. We are just here for a visit. Sounds like he made the best of his. Roger
A gentle soul, a ready smile, kind and encouraging words…he cultivated beauty in the outdoors, as well as in the character of his daughters, as his legacy to all of us. We were blessed.