Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before

Richard E. “Dick” Phenneger  was born in Wichita, KS on May 12, 1936 and passed away in Coeur d’Alene, ID on July 18, 2017 at the age of 81. He will be dearly missed.

Dick grew up in Lakewood, WA and then attended the University of Washington. There, he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Dick remained a faithful supporter of education throughout his life. He was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and for decades was diligent in helping college students find a supportive campus family.

Dick served in the Air Force as a KC-135 pilot from 1959-1966, during which time the U.S was engaged in Vietnam. He joined Pan American World Airways in 1966 and retired in 1991 as a Captain. He never lost his love of flying and travel.

Through Dick’s career he became involved in Employee Stock Ownership Plans and went on to establish a company, Phenneger & Associates, which designed and implemented ESOPs. He helped many companies successfully sell to their employees and made countless employees company owners.

Dick lived out his faith. He served on the vestry of the Episcopal Church, as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and on three area Young Life committees. He recently founded Veteran Services Transparency and was an advocate for those whose lives were changed forever by Agent Orange. He loved and served his country but was also a passionate voice for accountability. 

Cruising on the Spokane River in his 1958 wooden Chris Craft was Dick’s favorite pastime. Above all else, Dick was committed to family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Claudia of Post Falls, daughters April Young, Heather Hacker and son Todd Phenneger all of Spokane and five grandchildren: Bri Young of Beverly, MA, Brooklin Collins of Seattle, Landon Hacker, Rhys and Madeleine Phenneger, and his sister Mary Ellen Mays of Spokane.