Friday, April 19, 2024
Richard L. Sorenson (Rick), age 72 died on June 28, 2017, after having suffered a massive heart attack on June 9, 2017, in Chelan, WA. Rick was born on March 8, 1945, to the late Paul Martin Sorenson and Beulah Maxine Bowdish in Stockton, CA. Rick graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1963. He attended Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake where he obtained his pilot's license. Rick worked in various positions until November of 1987, when he was hired as a parts man for Mobile Fleet Service in Yakima, WA. He transferred to their Wenatchee location in 2007. He retired in March of 2015 after nearly 25 years of service.
Rick was an avid UW Huskies follower having had season tickets for over 30 years. He also loved the Seattle Seahawks. He rooted for the WSU Cougars whenever they weren't playing the Huskies, much to his wife's chagrin. Rick and Diana were in attendance at the 1991 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA when the "dawgs" handily trounced the Iowa Hawkeyes. Rick and Diana enjoyed traveling to Nevada, Alaska, and Mexico whenever they could manage to get away.
Rick was a veteran of the Viet Nam war. He served in the U.S. Army as a crew chief and door gunner of a UH-18 Huey Gunship in 1966. He received several medals for valor ..."for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat ground forces of the Republic of Vietnam." During this time, Rick actively participated in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations. "...he displayed the highest order of air discipline and acted in accordance with the best traditions of the service."
Rick is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Diana, after nearly 30 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Paul "Sarge" and Perry Sorenson, and an infant daughter, Nicole. Rick is also survived by a daughter, Darci Drewel Hedden (Norm) of Selah, WA; son, Steve Drewel (Mackenzie) of Alvarado, TX; twin grandchildren Max and Ava Hedden of Selah; a special nephew, Jeff Sorenson of Everett, WA; nieces Jennifer Ream of Marysville, WA and Jodi Busim of Arlington, WA; brother-in-law Joel E. Smith (Jackie) of Kirkland, WA and Greece; sister-in-law, Jodi Sorenson of Bothell, WA; and many good friends.
The family would like to thank Confluence Health of Wenatchee, WA for their care and compassion. Also, we would especially thank Dick Knautz and Janet Roy-Knautz of Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory in Moxee, WA for helping us through this very difficult time.
A casual Memorial Service will be held in Rick's memory on July 22, 2017, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Lake Chelan Eagles in Chelan located on Woodin Avenue. Memorials may be made to the Chelan County Humane Society, if desired. To leave a message or a memory for the family please go to www.brooksidefhc.com. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
