Richard Mcdonald

Richard Norman McDonald, 79, Olalla, Washington Richard N. McDonald, 79, of Olalla, Washington left this earth on October 21, 2010. Dick was born February 26, 1931, to Jesse H. and Elfrieda McDonald in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1954 and went on to obtain his Master of Science degree in 1955. In 1957, Richard earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Washington. Dick began his professional career at DuPont Chemical in Wilmington, Delaware before moving to Manhattan, Kansas, where he became a professor of chemistry at Kansas State University until retirement. Dick married Joan L. Anderton (Spokane) July 7, 1956. She survives at home. Richard is survived by a brother, Jesse (Martha) McDonald of Farmington Hills, MI; a son, Bradley T. (Catherine) McDonald of Overland Park, KS; a daughter, Patricia S. McDonald of Topeka, KS; and three grandchildren, Alison, Christi and Kaitlan. also residing in Kansas. Dick and Joan were members of Peace Lutheran Church in Manhattan, Kansas. Richard was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. In addition to his family, Dick loved nature and the great outdoors, his pets, and chemistry. He was an author with four books in publication along with numerous journal publications and was an international lecturer. His work in the science industry led him with great pleasure to mentor over 30 graduate students and postdoctoral research associates. Dick was a member of several honorary and professional societies: The American Chemical Society, The Chemical Society (London), The American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Sigma Xi. Dick and Joan moved to Olalla, WA, in 1996 after retiring as a full professor from the Chemistry Department at Kansas State University. Annual camping vacations in the Snowy Range mountains (Wyoming) coupled with a love of the Seattle area that grew while students at the University of Washington led them back to the northwest for retirement. They have enjoyed years of living in the Puget Sound area. Funeral arrangements were handled by Haven of Rest in Gig Harbor, WA. Memorial acknowledgements can be sent to the family at havenrest.com.