Richard Oliver Shelton left us on August 19, 2025, at the age of 76. He was born in Schenectady, New York, on August 3, 1949. His parents, Kathryn Dezellem Shelton and Richard Elmer Shelton spent their lives in Washington state, with the exception of a few years in New York while his dad worked for General Electric, and during that time Rick was born.

Rick went to Olympic Hills Elementary School in North Seattle, Tyee Junior High and Newport High in Bellevue, where he graduated in 1967. He graduated from Washington State U. with honors in 1972, majoring in History and Education.

He lived in Haines, Alaska for 10 years, and worked as a carpenter, border guard, teacher and Boy Scout leader. He made life-long friends there, and considered those years some of the best of his life.

After moving back to Washington, he got a computer programming certificate from Everett Community College and began a long career working in health care and education, finishing his work life with 20 years at Lake Washington School District.

All through his life he enjoyed outdoor pursuits - fishing, crabbing, kayaking, camping and hiking. His affinity for farming started with summers spent on his grandparents' farm helping with the wheat harvest. On his own little farm on Camano Island, he raised a few cows and a horse, and tried his hand at growing fruit, vegetables and lavender. He was never happier than when he was riding through the field on his tractor.

Much to his surprise he enjoyed travel in Europe. He loved the history, the food, the wine and the culture. He also happily traveled all over the U.S. and the Caribbean to attend family weddings and gatherings.

He was a life-long student, and became an accomplished cook. He was an avid reader, and understood, and could install and repair, everything mechanical, technical and systemic about our home, property and vehicles.

He is survived by his wife Kathy (Hansen), sister Linda (Tim)Talbot, step-children Andrew (Angela), B.J. (Jesi) and Naomi (Adam Clark) van Leeuwen, niece Erin (Shane) Darrah and nephew Jason Talbot, 2 great nieces - Reese Talbot and Katelyn Darrah, great-nephew Nick Talbot, and 5 grandchildren - Ophelia, Prudence, Cassius, Parker and Kennedy vanLeeuwen.

He will be remembered by his many friends and family members as a laid-back, kind, compassionate, generous and caring man, who was unfailingly interested in hearing your story, rather than telling his own. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

If you'd like to remember him by making a donation in his name, please choose a charity from these that he helped support - CASA animal shelter on Camano Island, The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle or Stanwood-Camano Food Bank.