Richard W. Kersey

Richard “Dick” Kersey, age 92 of Bellingham, WA passed away peacefully on September 21, 2014. He was born November 9, 1921 in Torrence, CA to Merlin and Bertha (Woolsey) Kersey. Dick married Eileen McConville in Seal Beach, CA in 1949. Dick served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was raised in Southern California and attended Wichita State University, Pepperdine and USC, where he earned a B.A in Chemical Engineering. He later earned his Executive MBA from Harvard University. Dick designed, built and managed oil refineries for several companies including Derby Refining (Wichita, KS) and Coastal Corporation in the U.S. and Europe. While in Wichita, Dick served on numerous boards including the Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Rotary Club. He was a volunteer Energy advisor to the Governor of Kansas. Dick enjoyed world travel, gardening and boating. Dick and Eileen retired to Bellingham, WA in 1989 and became active in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Bellingham Yacht Club. He also volunteered with SCORE and the Salvation Army. Dick was focused, analytical, intelligent and committed to doing the right thing. Dick was preceded in death by his sister Mary Harvey. He is survived by his wife Eileen, son Steve Kersey (wife Geri Rea) of Bellingham and their daughter Cassie, son Richard Kersey, Jr. (wife Jeannie) of Maryland and their children Justin, Rachel and David, daughter Elizabeth Kersey of Alaska, sister Joyce Carlson (husband Ernie) of California, sister-in-law Marjorie Evans of Bellingham, and many loving friends. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, WA at 12:30 PM on Friday, September 26th. The Rev. Jonathan Weldon will be officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice House, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.