Richard "Dick" Walter Lankow

Richard Walter “Dick” Lankow passed away peacefully surrounded by family, at his home in Olympia, Washington on December 3, 2018. Dick was born in Ely, Minnesota on October 19, 1942 and grew up in Winlock, Washington, where he graduated from Winlock High School before joining the U.S. Army. He served as a cryptographer in Georgia and West Germany from 1962 to 1965, then started his career as an insurance agent. Dick dedicated the next chapter of his life to showing his family the value of hard work, which culminated in founding his own company and being a partner in two other insurance, investment and marketing firms before retiring in 2011. He was married to Susan Von Moos in 1981, and loved every minute of their time together, whether it was golfing, hiking, traveling, going to kids’ and grandkids’ sporting and school events, coaching t-ball, boating and crabbing on Eld Inlet, and cheering on his beloved Mariners. He also loved music, whether it was playing in his band as a young man, listening to his children’s recitals, or sitting on his deck listening with the sun on his face. In his retired years, he was able to spend many happy hours on the golf course with "the gang" at Capital City, and for two years with the Mid Washington Seniors. Dick was always active in his community. He was president of both the Olympia High School Football Booster Club and the Lacey Lamplighter Lions Club. He was an active member of Saint Michael Catholic Church, serving as a greeter and landscape chairman at the Westside church. He will always be known for his infectious smile, his uplifting sense of humor, unceasingly positive attitude, captivating stories, being a great friend to many, and the way he could make everyone feel as if they were the most important person in the room. Dick was so incredibly proud of his children, Shannon Norman, Melissa Predmore (Todd), Bryan Lankow, and Andrew Lankow (Kelsey); and his grandchildren, Kyle, Caleb, Hannah and Madelyn. He is also survived by his sister, Roberta Haakenson (Dick); and brother, Arthur Lankow (Joan). A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Saint Michael Church, Westside Chapel, 1835 Overhulse Road NW, Olympia, WA 98502, followed by a celebration of life at South Sound Manor, 445 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance with indication that they are in memory of Richard Lankow. Click on the link above to make electronic donations or mail donations to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, PO Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023.