Richard Tevault

Richard (Dick) Tevault, long time Poulsbo, WA resident, died of heart failure on October 25, 2018 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton; he was 84. Dick is survived by: his wife, Ida Mae Weatherholt from Chrisney, Indiana; two daughters both living in Poulsbo, Elisabeth Farley (Larry) and Mary Terry (Doug); two sons, Scott (Martha) of Portland, OR, and John of Bainbridge Island, WA; seven grandchildren, Christopher (deceased), Aidan, Borya, Jesse, Susannah, Zoey, Zachary and two very special great-grand-kids, Amy and Riley.

Dad was born in Lynnville, Indiana during the Great Depression, the youngest of six children born to W. Earl Tevault and Rosalie Christmas. He was part of the eighth generation of Tevaults in America. Judging from the graveyard, the Tevaults were living and dying in Lynnville for generations. He had three big brothers; David, Jack and Gene, who all served our country in the Navy and all preceded him in death. He had two sisters; Carol Kastner, who followed their big brothers in death, and Joann Smith of Evansville, IN, now the last of the eighth generation.

Dad was a graduate of Bosse High School and was a proud alumnus of Evansville College (now University of Evansville) in Indiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science as an Industrial Engineer and went right to work at Navy Ammunition Depot in Crane, Indiana. From there, he transferred to Charleston, South Carolina where he was involved with the response to the Cuban missile crisis. In 1968, we moved to Washington D.C. where we got the chance to absorb everything Americana: fireworks on The Mall, Mt. Vernon, the many monuments, and The Smithsonian Institute. In 1974, Dad accepted the challenge of Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific Operations Manager at Bangor Annex and brought us all out to Poulsbo in the family station wagon.

He traveled the world and coast to coast as he completed his career with the Navy; England, Scotland, Japan, Philippines, and Guam were a few of the places he visited on assignment. Dad and Mom traveled the world for most of the first 25 years after Dad retired. I am pretty sure that they took every cruise available in Europe, the Caribbean, around the tip of South America, and of course Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii. They even did a coast-to-coast-to-coast road odyssey with their oldest grandchild visiting old friends and family along the way. Family gatherings and hosting meals with groups of friends were the cornerstone of his life.

Dad drove us in the family station wagon from Indiana to South Carolina; Virginia to Florida for the opening of Disney World; South Carolina then to New York where we climbed down the statue of Liberty; and finally, Virginia to Washington State. Of course, we heard, "Do you want me to pull this car over?" many, many times. We were lucky to have a couple days with Dad at the end where he got to hear from all of us as we thanked him for all of the travels and adventures and life's lessons. Then, we had a couple of very rough days as Dad fought like hell to keep the Grim Reaper at bay.

He will be missed and continue to live in our hearts as we strive to carry on the values he instilled. Dad had an awesome life; happily married 63 years, wonderful family, and life-long friends. The Navy treated him well; he worked for 33 years, was awarded the Department of Navy "Superior Civilian Service Award", and was retired for nearly as long as he worked. He was proud of his family and of his contribution to our country. He always remembered our service members in the dinner blessing recognizing their sacrifice and watchfulness over our liberties. We invite you to make any tributes to the Wounded Warrior Program at woundedwarriorproject.org or to the United Service Organization (USO) at uso.org.

The family will host friends and colleagues at the Sons of Norway Lodge in Poulsbo in the lower level Viking Room on November 17th between 3:30 to 6:30 pm. All who knew him are welcome to come help celebrate his life, and share stories and photos. Arrangements entrusted to The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary; cards may be sent to the family care of Poulsbo Mortuary, 22272 Foss Rd, NE, Poulsbo WA 98370.