Richard “Dick” Charles passed away of chronic kidney disease on October 19, 2021, in Olympia, Washington. He was born October 3, 1942, in Bellingham, Washington, to Dexter A. and Alice M. Charles. He resided in Olympia from 1965 to 1975; Sterling, Virginia, from 1975 to 1994; and Fairfield, California, from 2001 to 2021. Dick was raised in Wickersham by his grandparents, Don and Anna McMorris from the age of nine. He graduated from Mt. Baker High School in 1961, where he was class president and received numerous honors for debate and Future Farmers of America. In 1965, he earned a BA from Western Washington University in Bellingham, and in 1967, completed a Master’s degree in political science with a minor in psychology and sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle. After receiving his degrees, Dick began his long career with the government agencies. He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska; Washington State Department of Transportation (discrimination investigator); and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (civil rights investigator). His job took him to numerous places, including Washington, Washington D.C., and California. He made friends everywhere he went and could sit and talk with anyone about anything! Dick loved the study of genealogy and history. He was an avid reader of newspapers, and enjoyed watching/listening to CNN, and going to the beach. In December 1964, Dick married Diane Coates in Mt. Vernon, Washington, and together they had four children, Rick, Michelle, Malinda and Jason. They divorced many years later but always remained very close. Dick married Karen Piland in 2006 in Las Vegas, and they retired while in California. Dick and Karen loved traveling and stopped at every casino along the way. Dick loved Wine Country and was a great tour guide for family and friends. As his health began to decline, Dick moved back to Olympia to be closer to family. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen Charles; and his son, Rick Charles. Survivors include his daughters, Michelle Charles of Puyallup, Malinda (Jeff) Charles of Olympia; his son, Jason (Crystal) Charles of Orting; his beautiful granddaughter, Stella Charles (age three); his sister, Zandra (Charles) Gurtner-Olsen of Spokane; nieces, Linda Gurtner and Vicki (Ken) Heffley-Vernon of Spokane; and great-nephews, Adam (Britt) Heffley, Edmonds and Ben Heffley of Woodinville. He also is survived by the mother of his children, Diane Charles, who graciously cared for him until his passing. Dick will be laid to rest at the Saxon Cemetery, Acme, Washington. A celebration of Dick’s life will be held in Spring 2022 in Whatcom County. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.