Richard M. Lunstrum

Long time Edmonds resident Richard M. Lunstrum passed away peacefully on Monday March 5. Born February 28, 1923 to homesteaders William and Fannie, little Dicky was raised on a farm near Boise with four older siblings, brothers Mervyn, Fordyce, Carl, and his sister Inez. He attended Maple Grove School and after playing football, filling out numerous dance cards and serving as student body president, he graduated from Boise High School in 1941. He was working construction on Johnston Island in the Pacific, when World War II began. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, flying P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs with the 8th Air Force out of Wattisham Air Base in England. In 1946 he married high school sweetheart Sally Greenrod in Seattle and with her support after graduating from the University of Washington Law School in 1949, he began his 39 year career with Safeco Insurance. He sired 3 sons, Greg, Kirk and Eric while holding various corporate positions in Idaho, Washington, New Mexico, and Colorado. After a brief stay in Denver in 1959, he moved to Sunnyvale California, which would become the familys foundation during the 60s and 70s. While living in California, Dick was introduced to the game of golf and regular family outings to California beaches, which were activities he continued to enjoy during his life. After becoming an empty nester with Sally and with retirement growing closer, business opportunities brought him back to Denver in 1979. With 4 years under his belt with Safeco in Colorado, he jumped on the opportunity in 1984 to return where his career started in Seattle. Dick and Sally settled in Edmonds in a beautiful home on Puget Sound that Sally stumbled upon. He always said that Sally had a good nose for real estate and the home in Edmonds proved her right.He retired from Safeco in 1984 and the good life truly began. The Edmonds home was perfect for visiting friends and family and a great launching pad for all the cruises and extended trips Dick and Sally so enjoyed. Dick proudly became reacquainted with his WWII buddies from the 434th Fighter Squadron attending their annual reunions all over the country. He loved to drive and on one road trip to Baja California in 1987, they came upon a beautiful small resort located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where they became faithful visitors every spring and fall. Dick loved his life and with Sally by his side, lived it to the fullest. To all his great family and friends..hip hip!Interment with his beloved wife will be at Morris Hill Cemetery in the future. Public viewing to be held at Becks Funeral Home Saturday March 10, 9:30-12:30 with an informal gathering at the family home that afternoon (503-887-1658). He favored the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.