Richard James Pobuda Putnam

Richard James Pobuda Putnam was born March 23, 1928 in Stafford Springs, CT to 
Robert and Mary Pobuda, and died peacefully in his home on November 23, 2008 
following a valiant fight with cancer. Overcoming the challenges of raising a family 
during the Great Depression, his parents Robert and Mary ensured that Dick and his 
brother Bob were able to begin their education at Southwest Grammar School. Dick 
later graduated from Bulkely High School, Hartford, followed by a year at the University 
of Connecticut. The war in Europe cut his education short, and he joined American#s 
greatest generation in defense of their nation. Enlisting in the U.S. Army, he served with 
the 1st Cavalry during the occupation of Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he 
enrolled in the forestry program at Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State 
University), earning a bachelor#s degree in 1948. Dick#s love of nature and forestry led 
him to the American Northwest, where he accepted a position with the Weyerhauser 
Company. He spent 39 years with the company, primarily in wood products sales, with a 
sales area that included the state of Alaska. His acumen and passion helped 
Weyerhauser earn a reputation as the top wood products company in the country, and 
some of Alaska#s urban development can be attributed to Dick#s aggressive efforts. He 
also served the company in Washington, Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Oklahoma, 
and Wisconsin before retiring in Tacoma in 1990. In 1953, Dick married the former 
Alyce Kern, and they raised three beautiful daughters and a son who is the image of his 
father. Dick married his beloved Meg in October 1974, and as a result welcomed three 
more kids into the family fold. In addition to family activities, Dick involved himself in a 
variety of outdoor programs, including mountain climbing, hiking, and golf. As a member 
of the Tacoma Mountaineers beginning in 1973, he held a variety of leadership 
positions, led countless climbs, taught climbing classes, was honored by his peers 
when elected Tacoma Branch President in 1980, and volunteered weekly at the 
Charles Bingham Forest Learning Center near Mount St. Helens. Intellectually 
ravenous, he and Meg traveled extensively, visiting most of the United States, Canada, 
the Netherlands, Ireland, and the British Isles. Six decades of brilliantly captured 
photographic images testify to his artistic skill, and a lifelong passion for books, 
particularly historical tomes, is evident in the thousands of works lovingly collected over 
the years. Dick lost his brother Robert (wife Suzanne) in 2000, but is survived by his 
wife Meg, son David (Kristie) of Tacoma, daughters Katherine Collings (Paul) of New 
Albany, IN, Sally Cave (Jim) of Tacoma, Amy Cheuvront of Kalispell, MT, and 
stepdaughter Sarah Sieradzki (Dan) of Parma, OH, stepsons Jeff Gildea of Indianapolis, 
IN and Brad Gildea (Debbie) of New Braunfels, TX, 10 grandchildren, and three 
great-grandchildren. In keeping with Dick#s wishes, his ashes will be interred at 
Tahoma National Cemetery, and scattered in the mountains he loved in the springtime. 
Family and friends will gather in the family home to celebrate his life on Sunday 
afternoon, November 30, 2008. In lieu of flowers, Dick#s family suggests that memorial 
donations can be given in Dick#s name to establish a memorial garden bench at the 
Charles Bingham Forest Learning Center at Mount St. Helens National Monument, or to 
Franciscan Hospice, Tacoma, which surrounded Dick with their loving care in recent 
weeks. A memorial account in his name has been established at the Westgate Branch 
of Columbia Bank, 5727 North 21st Street, Tacoma WA 98406. Tributes, condolences, 
or donations may be made at www.tacomamausoleum.com . Arrangements by Tacoma 
Mausoleum & Mortuary, 253-474-9574

Pub Date: 11/27/2008
Tacoma News Tribune