Richard "Dick" Garnett

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Richard "Dick" Garnett, a man whose hands were rarely still and whose heart was always full. Dick passed away on March 2, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, facing his final journey with the same grit and dignity that defined his seventy-four years. Born on May 24, 1951, in Longview, Washington, he was the cherished son of Harry and Phyllis Garnett. A proud 1969 graduate of Mark Morris High School, Dick’s early years were marked by a sense of adventure and service. He served in the Navy from 1969 to 1975, a chapter that took him to the shores of Hawaii. There, he worked as a Private Investigator before the call of the Pacific Northwest brought him home to manage Fisherman’s Lodge in Depoe Bay. It was in Depoe Bay, on July 26, 1980, that Dick’s life changed forever when he met Sandra, the "redheaded Dutch girl" who would become his soulmate. Their love story took them to Den Haag, Netherlands, where they were married on January 5, 1981. Over the next 45 years, they were inseparable partners, building not just successful businesses, but a beautiful life together. Dick was a tireless provider, pouring his soul into every venture, from his cleaning service at Little Whale Cove to the Colville Pet Shoppe. He is perhaps most fondly remembered as the steward of Beaver Lodge (1988–1997) and The Inn at Soap Lake (2001–2016), where his hard work created a haven for others to enjoy. In 2017, he finally hung up his hat and retired to his peaceful lake home in Kettle Falls. A true man of the earth, Dick found his greatest peace in the silence of the outdoors. Whether he was hiking, camping, or taking a long truck ride down a winding dirt road, he was in his element. He was a patient teacher who believed in the value of a job well done, passing on his mastery of the woods and the road to his children—teaching them the difficult skill of starting a fire, the quiet art of fishing, and the steady hand needed to ride a snowmobile or drive a manual transmission. Dick leaves behind a legacy of strength and unconditional love in his wife, Sandra, and his children, Alex, Laura, and son-in- law Josh. He is also survived by his siblings, Chris (Greg), Ginny, Jeff (Chris), and Matt. His greatest joys in his later years were his four cherished grandchildren—Darin, Zander, Connor, and Kaleigh—who will carry his spirit forward in every campfire they light and every trail they walk. He was a man of many wise words with immense impact, and the world feels a little quieter without his presence. A celebration of life will be held on April 12th, 12pm at his Kettle Falls, WA residence.

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Garnett

May 24, 1951 - March 2, 2026