Richard (Dick) Wallace Brich was born March 11, 1950 in Huron, South Dakota to Clair and Bea Brich and passed away surrounded by family at his home in Anacortes, Washington on April 23, 2026.

Growing up in Watertown, South Dakota, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, pool at The American, and as rumor has it, he may have organized a few poker games. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1968 and married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Taecker, in 1970. Their new life together expanded to two sons, Sol and Jedediah.

Dick earned a degree in economics from SDSU, and later his career took them on short stays in Watertown, South Dakota, Monmouth, Illinois, and Sturgis, South Dakota. He continued his education with a computer programming degree from the National College of Business in Rapid City. That opened the door to a position with TRW in Ogallala, Nebraska, where his sons received their grade and high school educations and the family enjoyed most summer and shoulder season weekends at nearby Lake McConaughey (Big Mac). It was also the playground for Dick's extended Brich family and together they enjoyed many happy camper days windsurfing, fishing, cooking out, and sailing (on the water and on iceboats in the winter) with good friends, the McBrides, Morrisons and many others. Dick and his sons also enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever possible.

Dick later accepted a position with the City of North Platte, Nebraska. Not wanting to uproot his family, he made the 55-mile (each way) commute from Ogallala every working day for over a decade. He was known as the "I-80 Angel" as he helped many a stranded motorist while on his daily commutes. As a life-long learner, Dick earned his MBA from the University of Nebraska – Kearney during this time.

With both sons choosing to attend South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dick and Carolyn relocated to Rapid City in 1999, where both found great professional success and enjoyment working with students at SDSM&T.

In May, 2009, Carolyn lost a long battle with cancer and Dick lost his life-long soulmate. He sold their home and travelled a bit, spending time with Sol in Cheyenne, his brother Randy and wife Michele near Pierre, and finally made the move to be near Jed in Anacortes, Washington. There, his two grandchildren, Fitz and Annika, brought renewed light to his eyes and gave him great joy to be called "Grandpa."

You would rarely see Dick without a book – he was the consummate reader of both fiction and non-fiction. He was a big-hearted man who would always be there to help a friend in need. And yes, in his final years, you might still have found him playing a few poker games.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Carolyn, and brother-in-law Bob Bondurant. He is survived by his sons, Sol and Jed, grandchildren, Fitz and Annika, siblings: Patti (Marc) Asmussen, Randy (Michele) Brich, Monica Brich, and Becki Brich (Larry Skrdla) and several nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be held at a later date.