Richard E. Hibpshman Jr. passed away in his home in Oak Harbor, WA on October 25, 2014. He was born in on May 5, 1948 in Pueblo, Colorado to Richard and Mildred Hibpshman. He was one of nine children. His family moved to Anchorage, Alaska when he was a teenager. He graduated from West High School in Anchorage in 1966, where he was a State Champion Wrestler.

Richard enlisted in the United States Navy directly after graduating and left for boot camp in Minnesota in July of 1966. He served from 1966 to 1970, when he met his wife Nelia Ingalla while in port in the Philippines. He took a brief break from the Navy to be home for the birth of his daughter and reenlisted in 1973, serving proudly as an Aircraft Mechanic Specialist until his retirement as Chief Petty Officer in 1993.

Richard spent most of his “retirement” employed as the Greens Keeper at the The Gallery Golf Course on Whidbey Island. When not on the golf course he was fishing, crabbing or could be found enjoying cheer at the Fleet Reserve Association Branch #95 and later the VFW Post 7392, both of Oak Harbor, WA.

Richard is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nelia of Oak Harbor, his daughter and her husband, Sandra and David Olson of Snohomish, his son and his wife, Richard and Megan Hibpshman of Issaquah, his grandchildren Isaac, Isabella, Marcus and Isaiah, his siblings, Kelcy Hibpshman of Tennessee, Stephen Hibpshman of Alaska, Barry Hibpshman of Alaska, Denise Nelson of New Mexico, and Linda Ellison of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Nancy Lindhartsen and Betty Augirre and brother James Hibpsman.

Services with full military honors will be held on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 2:00pm at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. Please visit Richard’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC., Oak Harbor, WA.

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