Richard "Dick" Hoyt
September 9, 1942 - July 10, 2018
Obituary
Richard ‘Dick’ Hoyt
Richard ‘Dick’ Hoyt passed away suddenly, on July 10, 2018, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Having endured four rounds of cancer in the last eight years, our family is relieved that he is now well and healthy, celebrating in his Eternal Home.
Dick was born on Sept 9, 1942 at Maynard Hospital in Seattle, Washington, the only child to Harold ‘Jiggs’ and Doris (Bunstine) Hoyt, of Renton. Dick’s father owned Hoyt’s Richfield in Skyway and Dick would often mention that his first job was working for his dad at age 10 for 10 cents an hour. Dick continued to work at his father’s station, where his great love affair with cars – old and new- began. The week before he passed, he was detailing his 2004 Mustang with q-tips! Dick graduated from Renton High School in 1960 and attended Western Washington State College (now WWU).
On Dec 5, 1966, Dick was hired on at Northwest Airlines as a Transportation Agent at SeaTac Airport. It didn’t matter what position he worked, he became proficient in each area, and expected nothing less of others. With his help in training and high expectations, he earned much respect among his co-workers. It was here, in 1979, that he met co-worker, Lori (Bowman) and they married in 1982.
Dick and Lori were blessed with a daughter, Brooke Ashlee, in 1988. When Brooke began school at Seattle Christian in the fall of 1994, Dick would volunteer one day a week on ‘playground duty’, which bumped up to 2 days a week in 2000, when he took early retirement from Northwest Airlines after 33 years of service. Dick was always very disciplined in everything he did and he would start each weekday with a long walk on the Cedar River Trail in Renton, then a visit to Starbucks. He developed a great friendship with many of the Barista’s and his many ‘coffee buddies’ in the last 18 years. The idea of the Annual SCS Kickball Tournament between students and the Starbuck’s Baristas began due to this relationship.
Dick had a great love for animals, cars, gardening, and most sports, especially Nascar and baseball. Dick’s baseball roots ran deep as his grandfather, Edward ‘Toots’ Bunstine played for Seattle and Snohomish teams from about 1910-1919 and his uncle, Melvin Bunstine, played for the Tacoma Tigers in the late 1930s. Dick enjoyed playing in the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League (PSSBL), with the highlight being able to play a game on Safeco field in 2006. Dick encouraged others in baseball as an assistant coach for SCS for several years.
In June of 2010, Dick was diagnosed with colon cancer which metastasized three times. Each time he faced it with a positive attitude and great determination. We have much admiration and respect for his oncologist, Dr. Philip Gold, and nurse, Alice, and are grateful to all the doctors and nurses at Swedish Hospital who assisted Dick during this time in his life.
Dick enjoyed traveling but his favorite vacation was always Hawaii, which became an annual event. After a long absence to the islands, Dick and Lori were able to spend a very memorable few days in November 2017 at his favorite hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, for their 35th Anniversary. His ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean near the islands he loved.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29th at 1pm at John Knox Presbyterian Church at 109 SW Normandy Rd, Normandy Park, Wa 98166. The wearing of bright colors and Aloha shirts is welcomed and encouraged in honor of Dick, who always lived life ‘out-loud’. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burien CARES Animal Shelter, Swedish Cancer Institute-Clinical Research Fund, Seattle Christian School, Renton History Museum or a charity of your choice.
I worked with Dick at Sea-Tac as a transportation Agent for NWA after they closed the station in Fairbanks, AK in 1985 and before the merger with Republic Airlines. I enjoyed working with Dick and all the employees at Sea-Tac I transferred to LA after the merger and retired from NWA in 2005 inAnchorage Alaska as a supervisor in cargo. I am sending my best wishes and condolences to Lori and family it was a great pleasure to know and work with them
Another one of those GREAT guys that will be missed. No matter if you were a pass rider or a working crew you always knew it was going to go right when you saw Dicks smiling face. A real professional, a gentleman and always a friend. Blue skies Dick.
Tom and I knew Dick from our many years of flying with Northwest. After retirement we became close with Dick and Lori and spent many hours celebrating birthdays and laughing until our sides hurt. What an amazing man Dick was and we are so thankful that we got to know Dick so much better over the past few years. RIP dear friend, you have earned it but we miss you so much. Thank you for the years of friendship and laughter and even a few tears.
Love you!
May Family and Friends of Richard always cherish those precious memories that you shared and created with him and a may you find comfort and hope in Gods Word the Bible@Act 24:15, John 6:40, Revelation 21;4
I grew up with Dick in the Skyway/Lakeridge/Renton area. Used to love hanging out with him at his dad’s gas station in Skyway. We called him” horrible Hoyt”, but can’t remember why. Like many people, you lose touch as you grow older and move through life. He was a great guy and I’m sure he will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.
Dick,
You and I were great friends with Jim Moore and were all pals with NWA! Ypou will be all missed! Bob Bartholomay
We played Little League Baseball against one another ,Dick’s Mother never missed a game. I always acussed her of rooting for our team. They were both great people hope we meet again some day.
I was saddened to read of Dick’s passing. I worked the ramp at SEA-TAC and enjoyed many years working with Dick. I also played softball on the company team with Dick. My heart goes out to Lori and Brooke, and all of Dick’s friends.
Aloha my friend and mahalo.
“Horrible” Hoyt. Lots of good memories. Many laughs and reminiscing throughout the years.
A buddy who will be missed.
“Home and better” and free of pain, playing a continuous game of baseball on the most beautiful field imaginable! Rest in peace, Dick. Till we meet again. Leslee and Stan
So hard to believe that it has been a year since you left us. it hasn’t been easy but people say that I am so strong. I don’t think it is so much that I have been strong but that I want you to be proud of me. I know that you wouldn’t want me to wallow in sorrow but to do my best and be encouraged by the many wonderful memories we shared . Thank you for taking such good care of us, so that we can carry on now that you’re gone. Until I see you again…I will forever miss you and love you.