Richard (Dick) Harold Madsen
November 9, 1943 - October 30, 2013
Obituary
Richard (Dick) Harold Madsen was born on November 9, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of Oswald Subby Madsen and Mary Louise Stevens Madsen.
Most of his growing up years were spent in Decatur, Illinois with long summer vacations spent chasing fire flies, playing with his cousins, golfing with his grandpa and absorbing his rich maternal family history in Princeton, Kentucky.
His family was the love of his life.
He and his wife Jean, his J the R, shared nearly 39 years together…years of loving, encouraging each other, walking side by side, celebrating and savoring the many joyous moments and holding each other tightly through the heart breaking times.
He participated in his first Boy Scout 50-Miler and climbed his first mountain with his son Paul Ott, and, in the past few years has loved sharing their mutual passion for photography. He was delighted when Paul met and fell in love and married his wife, Kimberlie, whom he quickly dubbed his “all time favorite daughter –in- law. ” Though he missed them greatly, he could not have been prouder than when Paul and his family chose to follow the Lord’s call to China where they work in a Christian English Training Center.
Welcoming his son, Rick into the world filled his heart with more joy. Through the years he and Rick shared so many adventures….from building castles on the living room floor to building igloos on the Mountain. He was so proud of Rick when he earned his Eagle Scout badge and when he went on to graduate from the University of Washington and begin his teaching career in California. After a 9 month battle with Non-Hodgkin’s T-cell Lymphoma Rick died at the age of 26 in 2002 and Dick’s heart was broken. It was comforting for him to know that one day they would be together again.
His “Pearl of a Girl” daughter, Julie Scheffler was indeed her Daddy’s little girl. How he loved her and cherished their times together. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by her and her many friends as they giggled endlessly or when he took her on shopping trips and had a hard time saying “no” or dressed up (per her fashion advice) and took her on a Daddy –Daughter date. She was always a bright, shining light in his life.
Then came the fun of grandchildren. Paul and Kim blessed Dick with their three sons, Andrew, Joshua and Matthew and Julie added Parker and Peter …..five boys to joke with, explore the world with, to encourage, to support, to delight in their accomplishments. He was so proud of each of those guys and their talents and their gifts and stood by with wonder and delight, watching them grow.
Though they have lived away from each other for most of their adult years, Dick very deliberately worked at keeping in touch with his two special brothers, Steve Madsen and Kenny Madsen and their families. It was always fun for him when they shared stories of their growing up years and when he could hear the latest news about their activities and about all of his nieces and nephews and their lives.
Two more brothers-of –his-heart were Wayne Estabrook and Dave Campbell who added so much joy to his life as they shared hours and hours of time together,….talking, sharing books, hiking, running, climbing, skiing and always, always encouraging, supporting and loving each other through all of life’s joys and challenges.
Dick’s business career at Weyerhaeuser Timber Company began in the Investment Evaluation Department. and spanned 30+ years where he worked in Finance and IT at the corporate headquarters in Federal Way and as Comptroller for the Longview Pulp and Paper Mill Complex. During a sabbatical from Weyerhaeuser he served as Chief Financial Officer for Christa Ministries.
Dick was active in his faith communities as deacon, Elder and Stephen Minister. Always though, his heart was most closely tied to youth ministries…Jr High and High School Sunday School teacher, ski bus driver and leader of an amazing group of young men who gathered together over six years to study the Bible and encourage each other on their faith journeys.
Another joy of his life was serving for many years as a Boy Scout leader for Rick’s Troop 392. He began leading yearly rock climbing outings, and joined the boys for 50-Milers and numerous hikes in his beloved wilderness. He worked to really know each of these young men and had a gift of encouraging each one on their journey toward Eagle.
Dick’s love of the mountains was legendary. Over the years he soaked in the beauty of every corner of this magnificent Northwest whenever he had the opportunity, climbing Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, Mt Hood, Mt Olympus and Glacier Peak and hiking hundred of miles of wilderness trails and wildflower strewn meadows. Each adventure was only made sweeter if he shared the awe and joy with Jean, family members or dear friends. He often said he worshiped God most truly when he was surrounded by the glory of the world He had created for our enjoyment.
Having been given extra years of living life because of the incredible work of cancer research, Dick chose, 15 months after his first stem cell transplant, to honor and support those men and women by giving an inspirational speech at the carb dinner and then running a marathon to benefit Lymphoma- Leukemia’s Team-In-Training. Later he and his daughter- in -law Kim rode 100 miles around Lake Tahoe to honor Rick in another TNT event. Between those two fundraisers, they were able to donate nearly $20,000. He was also committed to spreading the need for people to join the National Bone Marrow Donor registry. Because of his donor, Casey Neese’s gift of stem cells, his life was extended for six years.
Together Dick and Jean worked in the Side-by-Side Ministry, coming along side children and their families who were here in the Seattle area to undergo treatment for cancer and other life threatening illnesses. They also were privileged to participate, as Patient-Caregiver Advisors at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, helping staff better understand how they impact those whom they serve.
On October 30th, after a nearly 17 year battle with lymphoma, Dick moved gently from this world, loved and surrounded by his family and close friends, and was greeted and welcomed into his great eternal adventure by his Lord, his beloved Rick and many family and friends who have gone before. What a celebration!
A Celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 22nd at
John Knox Presbyterian Church
109 SW Normandy Rd
Normandy Park, WA 98166
Several people have asked about a memorial fund to honor Dick. The following three causes were close to his heart
Cancer Research
Checks can be made out to Dick Madsen Memorial Fund and sent to
Nancy Ottman Press, MA MLibr
Research Coordinator for Press Lab
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave N, D-3-19
Seattle, WA 9810
Side-by-Side Ministry
Checks can be made out to University Presbyterian Church with Side by Side/Dick Madsen Memorial in the memo line and sent t
Side By Side
University Presbyterian Church
4540 15th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105
For more information please visit: www.upc.org/ministries/SidebySide
Paul, Kim and Matthew Ott’s Ministry in China
Go to the Crossworld website via the link below
https://www.crossworld.org/give/online-giving/
He was a very special man with a heart for God and people. We feel very blessed to have known him and to be loved by him. He has a special place in our hearts as does all his family. We love you all.
What a wonderful tribute to Dick. He will be missed by many.
What an awesome man.Never will forget his gentle spirit.Already miss my Yncle Dick so much!
A beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. Our pryers continue for all of your dear family.
My heart and thoughts are with you always. Dick was, and is, an important part of our lives.
Well done, Jeanie! As hard as it is to capture the life span of a of a person succinctly, you’ve done a masterful job. There will never be enough words to tell the world who Dick was, but then he lived life so well that all of us who encountered him at any time, at any level, were exposed to a very grace-filled man who represented Christ to us beautifully. Those of us who knew him well got huge doses of His love shared Dick’s way with respect, kindness and humor. Oh, how we will miss him.
Much love to you Jean. I am sure MaryAnn was part of the welcoming committee for Dick.
So very beautifully shared, Jean. And it honors so many of the people Doug loved & touched with his life.
Love & hugs to you. Jim & Wanda
wonderful tribute jean will be missed
Jean, my thoughts are with you and the entire family. Dick was truly a special man and without a doubt has made a difference in countless lives. God knocked it outta the park with that guy! Love and miss you!
Such an amazing man!!I am so thankful to have been able to call him my uncle!!Love you Uncle Dick and I will never forget you!!
Dick and I were fortunate to work together at Weyerhaeuser. From our first meeting he greeted me… he shared affection as long time friends. When he was getting treatments and I learned of his illness, he dismissed the subject and talked of our work. He would offer that he was fine with a gentle smile. Always kind and generous with his time. A wonderful man whose friendship to be cherished for all time.
I don’t know if you remember me but I am Tina Bossinghams mother. I just heard about your loss. I know the Lord is helping you . The Lord bless you and put His arm around you.Margaret Pontius