Richard Wayne Pitman, 84, passed away peacefully at his home after a long battle with heart disease and diabetes on April 5, 2024. Dick was born at home in Big Lake WA on September 1, 1939, to Heber (Blackie) and Elizabeth Ann Pitman.
He married Wanda Mary Kelley in July of 1960 and together they had their only daughter Christina (Tina). They divorced in 1981. He married Virginia Beaver 
Cole several years later and they divorced in 2014.
Dick was the youngest of 7 and he would talk about all the childhood adventures he would have with his brothers. Those days began his lifelong love of Fishing and Hunting. He loved his adventures with his friends to Alaska to fish in the Kenai and the Clearwater.
He was a Guide and Search and Rescue for many years on the Skagit River. His favorite thing was floating the Skagit River.
Dick spent his life building and fixing things. Working as a carpenter building homes in his younger years and working as a mechanic at Herb’s Chevron, Evergreen Chevron, Vern Sims Ford, SWAP (Sedro Woolley Auto Parts) and C&R Sporting Goods. He built his mechanical skills working on a race team at Skagit Speedway in the 60’s.
He was a founding member of the Northwest Glacier Cruisers Snowmobile Club and a Lifetime member of the Wildcat Steelhead Club. He loved helping down at the Steelhead Club and his favorite thing was the Kid’s Fishing Derby they put on every year. He loved helping the kids.
Dick coached the Little Pilots – Little League Baseball Team to several local championships. He made many longtime friendships with the boys on his team, and he loved coaching.
He really enjoyed going to Joy’s Bakery for coffee with his group of friends when he could. Those were special times for him. He had many great friends. Special thanks to Kurt Goche and Bob Blizard, for being there for him to the end. His neighbors Bob and Kathy for helping him with mowing the yard for him and helping with other chores, he loved the stories talked about and Sigi for watching over him & taking him cinnamon rolls and. Your care and friendships were so special to him. Thank you to the Burlington Fire Department for the many calls to his home for lift assistance. Hospice of the Northwest for their great care and guidance during this difficult time.
He is survived by his daughter, Tina Shields (Tom) in Lyman; grandson, Michael Eli Sutton in Hamilton; numerous nieces and nephews; his foster daughter, Lisa Forsythe (David) and her family, in Mount Vernon; stepson, Jason Cole and his family, in Colorado.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Wanda Pitman; son-in-law, Michael E Sutton, and Virginia Pitman; many good friends that he shared many memories with.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00, on Saturday, May 18, 2024 the Wildcat Steelhead Club, 24910 River Rd, Sedro-Woolley, WA. We are planning a short boat ride, and the
BBQ will start at 2:30. We will provide the fish, please bring a potluck dish to share.
In lieu of flowers we suggest donations to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation or the Wildcat Steelhead Club. Share your memories of Dick and sign the online guest register.
Dearest Tina, Tom and Eli, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a blessing you were to your Dad Tina. He was so lucky to have you to help him through the years. Great job on the write up of his obituary. Your Dad did it his way and managed to do all the things he loved to do. I love how you have continued his legacy while he was here to see your love for the snowmobile club and you will continue his love for it for years to come. You have honored your Dad in so many ways. Sending lots of love, sincere condolences and prayers to support you at this time and the year of firsts to come. Love you all.
Tina I am so sorry for your loss! The obituary is beautiful and spot on. What a fitting celebration to have it at the Steelhead Club! Loved Dick for just being true to who he was! Loved all his stories even the ones I had heard a dozen times before. So thankful for him allowing me and my mama to share his space for the time she had left. You can bet that he truly would have given you the shirt off his back if that’s what you needed! Love you Pops may you Rest In Peace fishing everyday and telling those stories!
So many fond memories of fishing with Dick. I remember once getting the biggest rats nest ever in my reel and he sat down with his “educated nail” and got it all out. So much patience. John Dinkins passed away on April 1st so I can only hope the two of you are catching up on fishing stories. Here fishy, fishy, fishy!
I will never forget Mr. Pitman rescuing my sister and I. We went out on Clear lake in our dads row boat. The oar locks were old and one came off and fell in the lake. We tried rowing with one oar and that oar lock fell off! It was getting dark and we had floated out there for about an hour. Then we heard this sound. A whizzing noise and out of the dark came Mr. Pitman in his boat. He had been fly fishing. It was dark and scary and he dragged us in to shore. Of course are dad was waiting on shore. We could see his headlights. We got in a lot of trouble. But we met a new friend and were very thankful. Thank you Mr Pitman. I know you are fishing in heaven. Maybe you will run into my grand father Lee Allen on your fishing adventures. He never met a fish he couldn’t catch! Our deepest condolences. We will never forget that sound. God bless your family at this time.