On January 10th of 2017, Richard McKay passed away in his sleep. Rich suffered from diabetes for over twenty years and complications led to his early passing. He was born on July 13th of 1972 and he was 44 years old. Rich grew up in Kirkland Washington and graduated from Juanita High School. He would spend a lot of his free time skateboarding with friends. He began snowboarding in the late 90’s when snowboards still had straight tails, he started on one of the first Burton boards that his mother got him for Christmas. He taught his brother how to snowboard and took him to Mt. Baker, Steven’s Pass, Alpental, and eventually Mt. Hood. In 1995, Rich moved to Mt. Hood, Oregon where he lived for twenty-two years. Rich was a very funny person who made people laugh and humble them. Rich was a great snowboarder and that showed when he became the head coach for this country’s largest snowboarding camp, High Cascade. In the beginning of 2003, Rich and Jamie had a beautiful baby girl named Idi Sue who has turned out to be a beautiful person that shines with the love from her father. A short couple of years later, David was born, who was named after Rich’s father. David is now becoming a young man, with the desire to follow after his father and become a phenomenal chef and a great man. Rich was the sous chef to the executive chef at Timberline Lodge, and with his remarkable talents and love for cooking, he touched the hearts of many through food and compassion. Rich was a also an awesome artist who created original work on canvas, with glass, and tattoos. He was the greatest father, brother, son, and friend. He is survived by his children David and Idi, His mother Joan, his brother Michael, and his sister Christina. He will be missed forever and remembered eternally. His light will shine bright in the sky for all of his family to remember including people all over the world whose lives he touched and became friends and family with. May god safely guide his journey to be with his father David.
His Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday July the 13th, where we will spread his ashes over his beloved mountain.