— Memorial Service to be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2:45 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church
— from the Spokesman Review —
Richard David “Rick” Richard (Rick) David Anda, CPA, 62, passed away peacefully due to complications from cholangiocarcinoma on February 17, 2014. Rick was born in Seattle, WA on April 9, 1951 to Leonard and Evelyn. After graduating from Bothell High School in 1969 he went on to earn his accounting degree from Washington State University. After college, he moved to Bellingham where he met his wife of almost 38 years Irene Hawley. They spent 20 years in Bellingham raising their children, Charlotte (Justin) Finnegan, Jeannette (Matt) Ring, and Pete (Vanessa) Anda.
Rick owned an accounting practice in Bellingham, where he was quite passionate about helping people with their small businesses and taxes. While in Bellingham he was a longtime member and treasurer of the Bellingham Central Lions Club, served many years as the treasurer at First Presbyterian Church, served as Scoutmaster of Pete’s Boy Scout troupe, and coached his daughter’s soccer teams.
He spent as much time as he could at the family cabin on Orcas Island where he loved to go crabbing, tool around in his boat, and spend time with his family. In 1999 Rick and Irene decided to live full time on Orcas Island. On Orcas, Rick continued his accounting practice; however, he quickly discovered his true calling was to serve his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He later joined the WA State Incident Management team as a firefighter and a financial advisor.
Rick loved his time with the fire department and with great passion could tell you about every fire on the island during his time there. He was named Firefighter of the Year in 2002, became Lieutenant of the Doe Bay Fire Station in 2005 and later became Captain of the East Side of Orcas Island. He was named Patriot of the Year in the Doe Bay Community in 2008. He also served the Orcas community as treasurer and president of the Lions Club and as the Treasurer for the Fire District. T
he last few years of Rick’s life were spent in Spokane so he could be close to his grandchildren: Charlie, Caden, Annie, Royal and Dutch. He enjoyed taking them camping, watching Cougar football, and watching them participate in their various sports and activities. Everyone who knew Rick was aware of his Cougar pride, his love of his family and his enjoyment of dutch oven cooking. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Rockwood Oncology and Hospice of Spokane for their loving care of Rick. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Orcas Island Lion’s Club or the Orcas Island Volunteer Firefighters Association.
A memorial Service will be held at the Salvation Army Chapel (222 E. Indiana, Spokane, WA)
See more at: legacy.com/spokesmanreview=richard-anda
Thanks to Harry Patton
(The memorial service will be broadcast to the Orcas Community at 2:45 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church on Sunday, Feb. 23.)
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I knew Rick primarily though the Fire Department. A more gentle, upbeat, positive individual you will not meet in your lifetime. In our brief time together he left an indelible mark on my life. He always had a smile on his face, and greeted me with gusto every time I saw him … “Hey, Mr. Lance! How are you?”
Rick, you will be missed, and you are loved by many, many people. Lance
I had met Rick thru the fire dept, and later he helped me greatly with knowledge and friendship. Bing and I used the bank of Rick to add 600 sqf to our home. He was a great friend. You call him up needing help, there he would be. He always went well above what was strictly necessary, and did what was truly needed.
I hope I have been able to adequately describe Rick to my son, that he has gotten the image I have tried to show him. Do what is right, look for things you can help others with.
I tried to tell Di the only way we could build the addition was by having good friends I could call on. I have built up karma points and used those for the help I needed.
Rick is one of my role models for life.
I am truly missing him.
May god welcome him home,
Amen
Dave
Rick was not only a dedicated volunteer Fire Captain with Orcas Fire and Rescue, he was also their Financial Officer. When Rick resigned to battle his illness full time, I replaced him, and that is how I know him. There are lots of run-of-the-mill accountants out there and he was not one of them; he was a brilliant accountant who used his talent and finesse with numbers to help manage the organization. He was a strategic thinker to the nth degree. The skills he possessed were extraordinary and the District benefitted greatly from having a CPA with 30+ years of experience managing their budget and expenditures. His big shoes were hard to fill. He put his heart and soul into his work, and it showed. It was great to have known him, if only for a short time.
Any one that knew Rick Anda, at any level, knew how solid he was. He touched many people in many ways and what a wonderful gift he gave us all with his friendship.
His legacy of fiscal responsibility is the foundation for the success of Orcas Fire and Rescue. With his guidance and firm resolve he helped lead us with accountability and transparity.
A gentle giant in every way, and with a sense of humor to match. Always open for an intelligent discussion and quick to help where ever he could.
I thank Rick for sharing those incredible talents, and will strive to express those talents daily.