Richard Martin Buroker

The man that we all loved who lived in Kennewick, WA for 30 years passed away at home with his family by his side May 24, 2014. Richard was born in Walla Walla, WA June 3, 1947 to Joseph & Usona (Too­tie) Buroker.

He graduated from Wa-Hi High School in 1965 and entered the Army National Guards in 1967 as a combat engineer. Richard married his high school sweet heart Carol Bischoff in 1967 and had three chil­dren Chris, Pat and Jennifer. While raising his family in Walla Walla he worked at the Washington State Peniten­tiary in charge of recreation from 1968-1978.

Graduating from Walla Walla College in 1976 with a degree in So­ciology & Recreation. The family moved to Yakima in 1978 where Richard worked for DSHS as a case manager for 6 years. He moved to Kennewick in 1984 where he met Mary Buettner also from Walla Walla. It was a blind date and love at first sight. They married in 1987.

Continuing to work for DSHS in Kennewick, along side his reserve career he retired as a Master Sargent from the army in 1997 and the state in 1999. Not ready to stop working just yet he went to work for Walsh & Associates, The Arc and then Goodwill Industries. Richard dedicated his life to helping others and was a very good and compassion­ate man. At the age of 62 he finally decided to stop working and enjoy some much needed family time with his wife, children and grand kids.

Richard was proceeded in death by his parents Joseph and Usona (Tootie) and sur­vived by his wife Mary Buroker, children Chris and Brenda Buroker, Pat Buroker, Jennifer and Lloyd Foster and Bryan Buettner. Grandchildren Tiffany Epperson, Ethan and Emily Buroker. Broth­er Norman Buroker and his wife Linda. And niece Lindsay Buroker. Richard will truly be missed, but we know that he is in a much better place. View­ing will be at Mueller’s Tri Cities Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 28th at 3pm - 8pm. Memorial ser­vices will be Thursday, May 29th at 11:00am at Mueller’s Tri Cities Funeral Home. We will be having a graveside service in Waitsburg on Sat­urday, May 31st at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to The Tri-City Chaplaincy Hospice.

The family invites you to sign their online guest book at http://www.muellersfuneral­homes.com