Richard “Dick” Thibert

Richard “Dick” Thibert

On February 16, 2021, Richard “Dick” Thibert, after several years of declining health, a stroke, and recent injury, had his last hurrah with his family by his side. Never was a man so cared for and loved as deeply by his wife and children in his last days of his life.

He was born on July 16, 1942 in Aurora IL to Henry (Hank) and Rose (Danduran) Thibert where he lived with his parents, brother Charles, and sister Mary until 5th grade. They moved to Red Lake Falls MN where he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and later attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston MN (currently the University of Minnesota Crookston).  In his younger years he enjoyed hockey, football, and causing “fun loving trouble” with his friends.

In 1960, he married Rae Jean Lizotte and they were blessed with 4 children, Rick, Lori, Jeff, and Mike. They moved to Portland OR, where he started his life-long work in the mobile home industry. In the midst of his newfound career, he was drafted at age 25 with the United States Army to serve in Vietnam. He was fondly known as the old man in his battalion. He returned to Portland after being honorably discharged from the Army where he picked up his business before moving to Everett WA.

Everett became his permanent home with his wife Karen (Dungey).  They were blessed with Kenny, Konni and Shannon. Dick’s business expanded to Austin TX for a few years which fit his love of cowboy hats and cowboy boots. After selling his mobile home business in 2001, he drove a dump truck until he suffered his stroke in 2012.  Dick knew how to make everyone welcome and there was no shortage of fun, parties, and laughter.  He knew that it was Karen who made their house a home and would often sing Waylon Jennings “She’s a good-hearted woman in love with a good-timin’ man” with the biggest smile.  When they weren’t throwing a party, hosting a Christmas gathering, or having friends and family at their home, they would hop on the motorcycle and head to Bev and Andy’s bar on Silverlake. Dick was also an avid fisherman and loved spending time at Fish Lake and would get so excited whenever anyone landed a fish. For many years, him and Karen spent most weekends at their property in Plain WA where they enjoyed fishing, river rafting and snowmobiling with a group of very special friends who together hosted an annual outdoor winter wonderland-like Christmas party which included a throne for Santa built of snow and decorated with food coloring. Santa (Pete) would arrive on his snowmobile with bags of goodies for the children. Dick had a love for dirt bikes, NASCAR, and frankly anything with wheels on a racetrack.  There wasn’t a Sunday where he didn’t have the race on TV.

Dick is survived by his wife Karen; his children Rick Thibert, Lori Thibert Ford, Jeff (Ruby)Thibert, Kenny Thibert, Konni (Dave) McCarrell, Shannon Thibert Maddy; brother Charles (Ellie) Thibert and sister Mary (Jerald Robinson) Thibert; brothers-in-law Dick (Sharel) Dungey, Larry (Mitzi) Dungey; sisters-in-law Barb (Butch) Theroux, Lea Dungey; grandchildren Justin Whitman, Cody Thibert, Julian Thibert, Nina Thibert-Collins, Marissa Thibert, Chad Thibert, Ciara Flores, Tanner Maddy, Payton Maddy, Zoe Maddy; 9 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his brother Herman Thibert in infancy, his son, Mike in infancy; his mother Rose Thibert, father Henry (Hank) Thibert and many relatives.

A memorial celebration of Dick’s life will be held at a later date.