Richard G. Sullivan

Born in Bellingham, WA on May 13, 1939 to parents Harold and Dorothy (Block) Sullivan, Dick passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Dick grew up in Bellingham with his three siblings, Saundra, Sharon, and Terry. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1958 and then served four years in the Navy. He met his future wife, Barbara Peters, while cruising Birch Bay in 1963. They were married two years later on July 24, 1965, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They welcomed a daughter, Kristine, to their family, followed by twins, Kelley and Tim. After living in Bellingham, they bought the farm Barbara’s grandparents had built in Lynden where she grew up, and they resided there for the next 53 years.

He retired from Georgia Pacific as a Millwright after 38 years.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; daughter, Kristine (Steve) Tjoelker and their children, Trent Tjoelker, and Kazia (Ben) VanderPol; daughter, Kelley (Barry) DeZeeuw and their children, Rachel (Joe) Crape and Lance (Makenna) DeZeeuw; son, Tim (Belinda) Sullivan and their son, Carson Sullivan; five great-grandchildren, Kellen, Sadie, and Sam Crape, and Brody and Kyla DeZeeuw; siblings, Terry (Judy) Sullivan and Sharon Maness; sister-in-law, Vonnie (Danny) Fitzgerald, and brother-in-law, Larry (Judi) Peters.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Saundra DeVries; brothers-in-law, Jack DeVries and Bill Maness; and parents-in-law, John and Trudy Peters.

Dick will be laid to rest with military honors at a private graveside service on October 3, 2024, at Greenwood Cemetery in Lynden. Friends and family are welcome to stop by the house from 2-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.