Richard ‘Dick’ K. Best, 86

Richard ‘Dick’ K. Best, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, passed away May 15, 2020, in Puyallup, Wash. He was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Wallace, Idaho, the son of Marion and Kenneth Best. He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School, North Idaho Jr. College, the University of Idaho (in forest management), and naval flight training as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot. He spent four years on active duty and 18 years in the reserves, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

Dick married Joy Groscost in June, 1956. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years of family, friends and adventures: an eight-day raft trip through the Grand Canyon and a week in the Galapagos Islands were highlights.

He worked for Idaho Forestry Department for six years before relocating to Washington state for forestry-related jobs. Dick retired from Murray Pacific in Tacoma after 25 years. He was a director for the Pacific Logging Conference, the president of Washington Forest Protection Association and a delegate to the World Forestry Congress.

Dick enjoyed hiking, bird watching, music, road trips, photography, trap shooting, reading, family gatherings, rocking his grandbabies, beach walking at Ocean Park, Wash., and the sun in Maui and Florence, Ariz., where he and Joy spent 18 winters at Caliente Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Don Jarvey.

Dick is survived by wife, Joy, of 63 years; daughters, Colleen Early (Jeff), Janis Sandhop (Todd) and Karen Larimore (Ken); son, Perry Best (Cheryl); nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Larry Groscost (Karen); nieces, Linda McMahon (Gene) and Debbie Morris (Chet); nephews, David Jarvey (Sherri), Scott Jarvey (June) and Chuck Groscost.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We miss you dad!

Services are pending. Memorials may be made to Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 W. Irving St., Boise, ID 83706.