Richard E. Noble

TACOMA, Wash. — Polson native Command Sergeant Major Richard E. Noble (U.S. Army Retired), died Feb. 14, 2005, in Tacoma. He was born in Polson, Oct. 21, 1936.

He attended schools in Tacoma, Valley View and Polson, graduating from high school in 1955 in Darrington, Wash.

He met is future wife, Carol Olson, at a teenage dance. They were married on May 12, 1980, in Aiken, S.C. Dick attended the University of Maryland and University of Texas-El Paso.

He served in the army for 30 years, 25 of which were served in the Army Special Forces.

He served two combat tours in Vietnam.

He also served numerous tours in Germany and Thailand.

After retirement Dick and Carol moved to Snoqualmie Pass. There he worked as a certified ski instructor and professional ski patrol member.

Dick was a member of the Special Forces Association and the VFW.

Surviving are Carol, his wife of 44 years; son, Rob Noble of Everett, Wash; daughter, Beth (Eric) Woodrum of Fort Lewis; granddaughters, Katharine and Meghan Woodrum of Fort Lewis; mother, Lillian "bunny" Noble of Sedro Woolley; sister, Judy (Ed) Blanton of Sedro Woolley; brother, Bud (Rosie) Noble of Anacortes; brother-in-law, John Vevig; sisters-in-law, Doris (Wib) Amacher and Ginger (Jerry) Takasaki, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Polson area survivors are his aunt, Blanche Bailey; cousins Lois Knutson, Joanne Finch, Sally Cook; Bob, Cec and Jerry Noble; Barbara Couture, and Mike, Paul and Ronn Noble, and Beth DeVore.

Memorials may be made to First in Asia (a fund to support of the 1st Special Forces Group in Fort Lewis), P.O. Box 33941, Fort Lewis, WA 98433, or

www.firstinasia.com

Funeral services were held Feb. 25 at Tahoma National Cemetery with military honors.

He was a wonderful man and an exceptional soldier, who was loved so much, and will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.