Obituary: Richard Lewis Biggerstaff, 86, Hood River
Richard Lewis Biggerstaff, born in Nebraska on January 13, 1940, peacefully left this world on August 1, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Hood River, Oregon, at age 86, following a series of strokes after several years of declining health. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leitha Biggerstaff, and his siblings, Joanne Biggerstaff Keough and Rodney Biggerstaff.
Richard, who was known for most of his life as Dick but more recently as Rich, moved with his parents and siblings at an early age to Richland, Washington. He attended Lewis and Clark Elementary, Carmichael Junior High, and graduated in 1958 from Richland’s Columbia High School. He attended CBC, then finished his degree in geology at the University of Washington. He pursued his master’s degree in geological engineering at the University of Idaho.
Rich married his neighborhood girlfriend, Sally Hatcher, June 13, 1964 at Richland Lutheran Church. They had three sons together, Thad in 1969, Chet in 1971, and Matt in 1972.
His work took the family all over the country, including to Oregon, California, Delaware, Texas, Missouri, and Washington. In 1993, they returned to Richland, where Rich worked for several different contractors at Hanford. In 2003, he and Sally purchased 21 acres outside of Goldendale, Washington. They commuted from Richland on weekends to work on establishing a hobby farm and home in the country. A few years later, when Sally retired from teaching and Rich retired as a geological engineer, they relocated there permanently. Rich then obtained his real estate license, and for several years helped many other people find their homes away from city life.
Rich was excellent at using his hands. He was a wonderful woodworker, producing everything from small carved items to coffee tables to hunting bows to kayaks. He also was a Mr. Fix It, who was disgruntled if he had to hire someone to do any job he could not do himself.
He is survived by Sally, his wife of 62 years, at their home in Goldendale; son Thad of Yakima; son Chet (and companion, Anne) of Goldendale; son Matt (who has been Rich and Sally‘s helper and caregiver since 2019) at their home in Goldendale. Other survivors include granddaughter Kylee Biggerstaff and a great-granddaughter Khalia Biggerstaff in Federal Way, sisters-in-law Darlene Hatcher Tverberg in Pennsylvania, and Lynn-Marie Hatcher Peashka in Richland, three nieces, five nephews, and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
Rich loved nature and hiking. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Washington Trails Association, 705 2nd Ave., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104, or online at www.wta.org
Messages of condolence may be sent to 2257 Glenwood Hwy, Goldendale, WA 98620 or smbigger3@gmail.com .
Per his wishes, there will be no services.
