Richard Pike

Richard Pike

Richard (Dick) Pike passed away peacefully on April 14, 2023, at the Evergreen Hospice Center, in Kirkland Washington.

Dick was born on July 13, 1940, in Bellingham Washington to O.K. and Margaret Pike.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet Andrews, brother Keith Pike, nephew Mark Andrews and niece Michelle Holm.

In 1953 Dick moved to Kirkland with his parents, he attended Lake Washington High School where he met his future wife, Kay Holm.  They were married in 1959 and raised two daughters, Kristine Blanch and Karen Knerr, both of Kirkland, Washington.

Dick served in the US Coast Guard from 1958-1962 in Galveston Texas and Ketchikan, Alaska. In 1963 he began his lifelong work in the poultry industry. During his 26 years with Heisdorf and Nelson Farms, he lived in Sweden, California, and Washington, returning home to Kirkland in 1977.  In 1989 he began work at National Food Corporation, overseeing flock management across the company and the construction of 2 new major production facilities in Plankinton, SD and Lind, WA. Throughout his career Dick was active in poultry industry organizations, production, supply, and sales. He retired in 2005.

Dick was a proud grandpa to Bianca Blanch, Austin Knerr, Rachel Jensen (Zayne), and Allie Knerr.  He was a regular at their sports and school events and made many friends along the way.

Dick loved to travel, to spend quality days at his family cabin at Birch Point, and the game of baseball.  He was involved in Redlands Kiwanis, Redlands Baseball and Kirkland National Little League in many volunteer positions.

He is survived by his wife, 2 daughters, sons-in-law Tony Blanch and Brian Knerr, 4 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, his brother-in-law Ralph Holm, and several nieces.

A memorial bench is being installed in the City of Kirkland celebrating his love of Kay and his Kirkland community.  Thank you to all the friends and family members who made it happen. Donations can also be made in his memory to the Evergreen Health Hospice Care Center in Kirkland WA.

Dick’s ashes will be placed in the Kirkland Cemetery Niche Wall.