Richard W. Berk

Richard Wray Berk, 74, of Sunnyside, Wa, passed away  on Sunday, January 19th 2025 after a short illness. Richard was born on December 8th 1950 in Sunnyside to Delbert and Jean Berk. He spent his formative years working extensively on the family farm and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1969. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. He traveled the world, serving in numerous locations all over Europe and Asia, before leaving the Air Force in early 1974. He returned home to the Yakima Valley and resumed farming with his family until meeting his future wife, Kathleen Gramm, whom he married on July 3rd, 1976. He worked a few different jobs over the next several years, before beginning his ultimate career at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in 1980. Over the next 34 years, he would work in everything from Engineering Design, to Construction/Demolition of nuclear storage facilities, to finally becoming a certified Health Physicist and concluding his career as a Personnel Safety and Decontamination Supervisor, before finally retiring in 2014.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Delbert and Jean (Smith) Berk. He is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Kathleen, 2 brothers, Mike (Debbie)  and Brad (Gloria), both of Sunnyside, 3 children, Christopher and Andrew, both of Sunnyside, and Garrett  (Jessica) of Salem, Oregon, as well as 2 grandchildren (his greatest joy!), Jason and Cole, both of Salem, Oregon, along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews.

There will be a memorial service for the public at Calvary Lutheran Church in Sunnyside on Friday,  March 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  which will be followed by a  dinner with copious amounts of food (his one actual request!) 

In lieu of flowers contributions  may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church, Sunnyside. Those wishing to sign Richard’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com   Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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