Birth:  May 20, 1936
Kodiak Island Borough
Alaska, USA 
Death:  Dec. 29, 2010
Alaska, USA

 

Longtime Alaska and Washington resident Richard Thomas "Dick" Wamser, 74, died Dec. 29, 2010, at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

 

Mr. Wamser wanted to be close to his mother and father, requesting that his ashes be laid to rest in the Kodiak Cemetery. Burial, a memorial service and gathering will be held in the spring, possibly on May 20, Dick's birthday. Notice of the services will be published in the Anchorage Daily News and the Kodiak Daily Mirror.

 

Mr. Wamser was born May 20, 1936, in Afognak Village, to Charley and Elice (von Scheele) Wamser. He was baptized as a young child into the Russian Orthodox faith. After graduating high school, Dick received his master's degree from Columbia University in New York. He proudly served 13 years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge.

 

Dick returned to Alaska to carry on the family tradition of commercial fishing in Bristol Bay from the mid-1960s to the mid 1980s. His various gillnetters included, most famously, The Phantom. During the 1980s and 1990s, Dick was the vessel owner and skipper of the salmon tenders: The Ben B and M/V Midas.

 

Dick resided in Anchorage his last four years, becoming a co-guardian of his grand-niece, Dorrie Wamser. He devoted time to ensuring Dorrie was secure and provided for. He was able to reconnect with family and friends, especially enjoying playful time with grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

 

His family said: "Dick was an independent, self-made man. Dick ("Uncle Dick") believed first and foremost in education and college. He also loved flowering plants, and poinsettias, delivering them to family and friends at Christmastime, his favorite holiday. Dick's greatest love was the ocean."

 

Dick is survived by his brother, Bernard Wamser; nieces, Terrilyn Wamser, Marcia (Wamser) Anderson, and Susan Wamser, numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many cousins.

 

He was preceded in death by his father, Charley Wamser, mother, Elice (von Scheele) Wamser; and nephews, James Wamser and Charley Wamser.

 

Dick will be dearly missed by all his family and friends!

 

Arrangements are entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel. Published in and.com from January 12 to January 14, 2011 
 
 
Family links: 
 Parents:
  Charley Wamser
  Elice Von Scheele Wamser
 
  
Burial:
Kodiak Cemetery 
Kodiak
Kodiak Island Borough
Alaska, USA 
 
Created by: SWOKWildlifer
Record added: Mar 15, 2011 

Find A Grave Memorial# 6695896

 

Although some called Dick stubborn, I got along with him very well.  He loaned me a 35mm camera to use, but alas it had no light meter.  I took lots of pictures with it until we reached Hong Kong when I purchased my own.

Robert Modell, Capt. SC USN

LTjg, Ass't Supply, Disbursing, Commissary Officer 1961-63

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