January 1942—December 2012
Richard Asia passed away in his sleep on the morning of December 23. A lifelong resident of Seattle, he was born at Virginia Mason Hospital in January of 1942, attended Isaac I. Stevens Elementary School, Meany Junior High School, Garfield High School, and was a member of Temple De Hirsch Sinai.
Dick entered the Peace Corps, where he was assigned to work with Yoruba communities in Western Nigeria, assisting with various development projects, including the construction of several bridges. He was respected by fellow corpsmen and the Yoruba with whom he worked, given the Yoruba name “one who brings home honor.”
After the Peace Corps, Dick received his BA in history from Simon Frazier University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shortly after completing his education, he became a successful real estate agent in the greater Seattle area.
He soon fell in love with the water in and around Puget Sound, becoming a passionate sailor. Going out on the boat with Dick became a rite of passage for close friends and family. He was an insightful, active, engaging man with a big heart, who loved laughter, children, music, reading, biking, birding, attending lectures at the Seattle Art Museum and many other activities in the city.
He is survived and will be remembered by his wife, the love of his life, Kim Christie, a sister, Susan Asia Hannan, a brother, David Asia, many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many close friends.
Donations may be offered in Dick’s name to the Center for Wooden Boats, 1010 Valley Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
Richard Asia
