Richard Edward Waterman

So many tools – so little time! Born in Washington D.C. December 17th, 1945; Rick was blessed with a very loving family. He started school in Adelphi MD, an only child until he was 8 years old when two brothers were added to his family. Rick’s mom was eager to expose Rick to all the culture the big city had to offer and took him to plays, concerts and museums. He took on a new view of the arts. Rick always loved drawing… anything he could think of. He graduated from High Point High School and attended the Maryland Institute College of Arts and graduated with a Fine Arts Degree. At this time Rick was aware that the draft would probably get him so instead of waiting he enlisted in the Army. Fortunately, he was assigned to a communications role in Vietnam instead of front line combat. After his time in Vietnam he was transferred to Ft. Lewis and there he met his bride to be, Elaine Sue Enfield. They were married 9 months later and then moved back to Maryland when Rick’s time in the Army was done. Rick then worked in Washington D.C. as a graphic artist for a government contractor near the White House. In the following year Rick & Elaine were blessed with a son, Adam; now they were a family. After Adam was born they made the decision to move back to Washington. Times were tough so Rick took whatever job he could to support his family. He loved to be involved with his son’s sports and watching him progress from elementary through high school. After working at the Tacoma Smelter for 8 years Rick decided to go back to school for telecommunications and ultimately got a job working for NW Bell. With a steady job and a dream Rick and Elaine bought their home in Auburn. Summers with Rick were spent camping, fishing and going on road trips. He loved the outdoors and seeing things through different perspectives. He was happiest relaxing by the campfire, playing and having fun with his family. Rick enjoyed family so much and he loved all of the extended family he gained when he married Elaine. He had her 11 siblings and their families to claim. Many weekend dinners, family reunions, weddings and graduations to attend. He enjoyed his many nieces and nephews and was always happy to have them join in on movie night at his house or a camping trip; whatever was planned he made it more fun and made anyone that came along feel welcome. Rick looked at things differently than anyone else; he could see things the way they could be and he was able to bring his vision to life in woodworking. This passion, this talent, this amazing attention to detail became a part of him and his home became his canvas. His house is a testimony to his hard work and perfectionism, truly a work of art and a work of love. Of course many of us are lucky enough to have a piece of his fine craftsmanship in our homes too. In 2011, after 30 years with (the now) Centrylink, Rick retired and Elaine retired 6 months later. They had spent years planning and dreaming of their next adventure; camping in the 4 corners of the continental United States. For 4 ½ months they traveled and lived out this dream; visiting family along the way and even made it to Maryland to celebrate Rick’s mother’s 90th birthday and visit with family. All of these dreams fulfilled and accomplishments met paled in comparison to Ricks joy and pride in his family; his son Adam and beautiful daughter-in-law Tanya had given Rick the best gift he could imagine: two amazing grandsons: Jordan & Cooper. Any time that he could Rick spent getting to know Jordan and watching Cooper grow and play. After 42 years of marriage and with still so many projects to do Rick will be greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. Rick is survived by his loving wife Elaine, his son Adam and daughter-in-law Tanya, grandsons Jordan & Cooper; as well as his brothers Doug Waterman (wife Alice) & Jim Waterman (wife Nancy). He will always be a part of their lives and the lives of his many in-laws and nieces and nephews. He will truly be missed but remembered for so many of his amazing qualities. I can just hear him saying (in his Daffy Duck voice) “That’s All Folks” ~