Richard T Yates
August 3, 1946 – February 8, 2026
Richard T Yates
Richard (Dick) T. Yates, dearly beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle lost his battle with congestive heart failure and passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side. He spent his last few hours watching the Seahawks win the Super Bowl.
Dick was born to Robert Somerville Radford Yates and Dorothy (Snyder) Yates in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised in Webster Groves along with older brother Bob and sister Marge, as well as younger sister Dotty.
Dick was an avid Boy Scout and Eagle Scout and played baseball and wrestled in high school. Growing up, he particularly loved family camping trips. This sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors including hiking, fishing and gardening.
After high school, Dick moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where he attended Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in forestry. After college he worked for the Bureau of Land Management for a short time and went to California where he ‘cruised’ (measured) the trees in the Redwood National Forest in what would become the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. When jobs dried up in forestry, Dick returned to Colorado and, after a short time working in an Italian Deli in Denver, he moved to Vail and opened an Italian restaurant that became popular with both locals and tourists. Former employees still talk about their fondness for Dick as a kind and caring employer.
Dick married Diane Carsten in 1976 and they ran the restaurant together. After they had sons David and Alex, they sold the restaurant in 1982 and moved to Washington State, first living on Whidbey Island and later in Lake Forest Park and Shoreline. Diane sometimes thought Dick wanted to move to the Seattle area because of his love of coffee. He was always seeking the quintessential cup of coffee.
Dick went on to become a real estate appraiser and later bought and operated a ServiceMaster franchise until his retirement in 2008. Until his illness forced him to slow down, Dick spent his retirement gardening, hiking, traveling, remodeling the family home and listening to music. Dick was called the energizer bunny due to his boundless energy.
Dick is survived by Diane, his wife of 49 years, and sons David (Alana) and Alex (Brenda). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Margaret.
At Dick’s request there will be no services. He would tell you to ‘take a hike’ in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Washington Trails Association.
https://give.wta.org/campaign/734955/donate?c_src=wa25maindonate
8 Responses to “Richard T Yates”
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What a wonderful tribute to Dick who was an amazing friend. I was fortunate to grow up with Dick through grade and high school in Webster Groves. Dick definitely had boundless energy and helped keep me and a close group of friends on our toes and guided through fun adventures in our early years and on through college. Dick was an outstanding friend. I am so sorry his family. Now I am going to go take a hike.
Diane
I’m so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Diane,
This is a beautiful obituary. Dick led a fascinating life!
May he live in your family’s hearts forever.
Best,
Janet
I always loved to hear about and marvel at the remodeling/home improvement work Dick did to his and Diane’s home. I only met him once in person, but that was extra special because I knew this about him.
Hi Diane, Dick and I were friends in grade school being from the same part of town. From what I see in his picture and your summary of his quite amazing life he was a fabulous adult. I wish I knew him during his Vail years (or anytime really)… his face is so familiar. I was in and out of Vail during my son’s snowboard years (2000-2010).
Best wishes, heartfelt condolences and many blessings for you and your family going forward.
John
Dear Diane and family,
As with Dave Corgiat and John Stocke, I also went thru grade school, jr. high school and high school with Dick.. ( we called him Richard back in the day )…. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family and may all your memories together bring you comfort and peace.
🙏🏻 Bev Newman Winterer
Dear Diane and family,
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you in the loss of Dick. He was a special friend and will be missed. On visits to your home in Shoreline it was evident in addition to all his other talents he had a green thumb. His gardening skills were evidenced by the beautiful flowers and plants surrounding your home. It’s obvious he was liked by everyone and made a lasting impression.
With our Friendship and Love,
Steve and Maureen Heard
I worked for Dick at his restaurant in Vail, Colorado (Guido’s), during the 1970s. Of all the places I ever worked, this was a real highlight. Dick not only created a wonderful restaurant but it was a place where the people who worked there felt like family. I’ve had very few work experiences like that. Dick and Diane were friends and I’m glad to have gotten back in touch with them in the last couple of years. Vail is very corporate now and lacks the soul that was once there, embodied by people like Dick and Diane. I miss those days and I’ll miss Dick, but I’m so happy to have had him in my life.