Richard passed away in his home on October 25, 2024.

Born to Ralph C. Streater and Alvina R. Streater in Minneapolis, MN. Grew up in Mankato, MN.
Graduated from Mankato High School in the great class of 1949. He started playing the trombone in the
band and it was a part of his life for many years. Attended one year at Mankato State College, and when
his father moved to Minneapolis to manage the L. E. Streater Lumber Co. for his deceased brother Lewis
E. Streater, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota School of business. He also was accepted into the
Minnesota Football Marching Band. After one quarter there, he followed the family tradition and
enlisted in the service. (Grandfather Edward Streater was in the Civil War – 23rd Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry Regiment, Father Ralph was in WWI – 82nd Division in France, older brother Ralph, Jr. was in the
Army Air Corps in WWII – Weather instructor, and Richard was in the 45th Infantry Division Band in
Korea, with his trombone.)
After discharge, he went back to Minneapolis and used the GI Bill to enroll in the Business School (and
back in the football band for two more years). He joined the professional business fraternity – Alpha
Kappa Psi – then, in his senior year, he met the love of his life – Maryann Lenhard – during a summer
school session at the Wednesday Night Dances at the student union.
He was interviewed by a recruiter for Armstrong Cork Co. (now Armstrong World Industries) and was
hired for sales in the Building Products Division. Sales assignments were San Francisco, Minneapolis and
Milwaukee.
The West Coast was calling and Dick and his wife moved to Seattle in 1968. He is survived by his wife of
64 years, Maryann, and two daughters, Suzanne Streater and Claire Mitchell, as well as two
grandchildren, Lauren and Nicholas Mitchell.
They lived on Mercer Island for many years. When the city council decided to “table” building a needed
public boat launch, Dick quickly organized a citizen movement and prevailed on the city council to
change their decision! If you have used the boat launch, a nod to the plaque with his name on it would
be appropriate.
He helped to start a new hobby of collecting old fishing tackle, and authored a reference work: The Lure
Collectors Bible. For this research, he was recognized in 1982 by the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in
Hayward, WI. He also obtained recognition for the Western Bass Club by the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame,
as the FIRST bass club in the U.S. – established in 1938. One of his joys later in life was giving his talk –
“Fishing Can Be Funny” to the many fishing clubs in the Seattle area.
He wanted to acknowledge the contributions to his life by the Mankato High School band director – Ray
“Sarge” Saunders – who first got him to pick up the trombone, and Speech Teacher Irene Melhouse,
who told him he could be a quality public speaker. Great teachers do make a difference!

There will be no formal funeral service as he chose cremation and the scattering of his ashes at the
Mercer Island Boat Ramp. A celebration of life may be held at a later date.

Obituary submitted by Harvey Musselman