Richard Anthony Obituary

Richard "Dick" Anthony, 79, of Spokane, Washington, passed away surrounded by loving family on March 6, 2026, at Hospice House of Spokane after a brief battle with cancer. He was born June 25, 1946, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane to Paul and Myrtle (Olson) Anthony.

The youngest of six children, Richard graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane in 1964. He later served in the Army Reserves, where he trained as an X-ray technician. Upon returning home, he worked alongside his brother Roland as a licensed contractor, building homes throughout the Spokane area. He eventually focused on home remodeling until his retirement.

In 1974, Richard married Mary Lou Wittkopf, and together they welcomed two daughters into a north Spokane home that Richard built himself. Mary Lou passed away in 1995 after a battle with ovarian cancer. In 2004, Richard married Sheila Hathorn, with whom he shared a devoted partnership for 22 years.

Richard was an avid outdoorsman who spent many years hiking, camping, hunting and biking across the region with family and friends. A lifelong learner with a deep appreciation for art and science, Richard pursued numerous interests. Bass fishing was one of his favorite pastimes; he explored local lakes and rivers while studying their unique ecosystems and geology. Each spring, he looked forward to the first bitterroot blooms in Drumheller Park and recorded their arrival in his journal. At home, he tended a vegetable garden and began each day reading the newspaper - he always maintained the comics pages were the best section. Richard's curiosity and quiet manner will be dearly missed; he was always available to listen or lend a hand.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Gloria, Mary, Roland, and John. He is survived by his wife Sheila Anthony; daughters Allison Anthony (Kevin Wendt) of Portland, Oregon, and Lisa Anthony (Andrew Hodgson) of Spokane; brother Bruce Anthony of Kent; and many caring nieces and nephews.

A private inurnment will take place on June 12th at Fairmount Cemetery in Spokane, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at 3pm, location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice House of Spokane or the Audubon Society.