Richard Lee Verme, 75, passed away on October 30, 2014 at his home in Olympia surrounded by his beloved family. He was born October 21, 1939 in Moline, Illinois to Howard and Georgia Verme. The family moved to Washington in 1948, living in Centralia, WA before moving to Olympia, WA in 1954. Dick graduated from North Thurston High School and Central Washington State College. He attended the University of Hawaii and the University of Washington, earning a Masters Degree in Social Work. He had a life-long passion for learning and encouraged family members and friends to always further their education. At the age of 70, he returned to school to pursue a PhD in Social Work and was preparing his doctoral dissertation at the time of his passing. He was employed by the Department of Social and Health Services for 33 years and retired in 1995. Dick loved to travel, and took many trips to Mexico and his beloved Hawaii. He was a devoted husband and father and is survived by Celina, his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, his daughter Monica (James), Whitted of Portland, Oregon, his brother Alan (Karen), of Olympia along with a very loving extended family.