January 08, 1928 - September 28, 2023
Richard Raymond Pierce, 95, of Spokane, Washington, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 28, 2023, joining his wife of 70 years, Dorothy, who beat him there by six months. He spent the last months of his life with family, and under the care and comfort of the staff at Rockwood at Whitworth in north Spokane. Rich was born on January 8, 1928 to Dallas and Berniece Pierce on the family ranch near Hot Springs, South Dakota. Dallas passed when Rich was 2 years old. Rich grew up on the ranch and went to the country school. He graduated high school in Hot Springs. He met Dorothy Haivala at a church youth group function in Hot Springs. They were married on August 28, 1952 in Edgemont, South Dakota. In 1957 they moved to Spokane. In 1961 their son Glen was born and in late 1962 their daughter Marianne arrived. After moving to Spokane, Rich attended Kinman Business University to study accounting. He was known as an accountant by day and farmer by evening. He cut and baled his hay as well as many of the neighbors. He finished his accounting career in his private practice which he started in the 1970’s. Rich had always been involved in church. He helped build the Assembly of God church in Edgemont, SD. They attended First Assembly of God in Spokane and he helped with the addition on the church. They also attended Ridgeview Assembly of God and Northview Bible church. In their retired years, they attended an Assembly of God church in Arizona. He was active on church boards and assisting with their accounting. He was also a member of various community boards. Rich was a cowboy and outdoorsman. For several years he rode his horse, King, as an outrider in the Spokane Lilac Torchlight Parade. Rich also enjoyed packing into the backcountry of Washington and Idaho hunting for deer and elk. His favorite places to hunt were the Selway and Clearwater regions in Idaho. Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, his stepfather Anton Rosenquist, and his brother Theodore Pierce (WWII). He is survived by his sister Dona Borge (Norm), son Glen (Traci), daughter Marianne Wilkes (Tom), six grandchildren, Megan Pierce Alefteras (Cameron), Dallas Pierce, Sam, Joe (Sheridan) Peter (Alexa) and Abby Wilkes, and four great grandchildren, Alayna, Brynlee and Tatum Alefteras and Mason Pierce. He has numerous nieces and nephews across the country. He loved God and his family to the fullest. You never left the room without a grin
