Richard C Koerner

Richard “Dick” Charles Koerner, age 98 of Spokane, Washington, passed away July, 11, 2019, of natural causes.  He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 1921.  Dick's father passed away when he was nine, leaving a mother and four other siblings.  Dick had to leave school to support his mother and sisters and started as an apprentice machinist in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.  After a few years with his experience at the Navy Yard, the Navy wanted him to join up and become a Navy aviation mechanic.  He declined the Navy's offer because he did not want to be on a ship.  He applied and was accepted to join the newly formed Army Air Corps in 1942, and served as a Navigator/ Bombardier on B-17's during WW ll.  He completed his fifty bombing missions over Italy, Russia, and Germany and returned to Philadelphia and his bride to start a family. Dick attended and graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. degree.  While at the U of P, he played on their freshman football team, as he was very fond of the sport.  He later continued that strong interest in sports and officiated football games for over 20 years.  Because Dick grew up in the Big Band era he loved to dance.  He never sat down at weddings, as all the girls enjoyed being lead around the floor by his smooth steps. After graduating college, Dick began a long and successful career in the glass manufacturing industry. He held operational, management and corporate executive positions with Owens-Illinois Co. His career took him to China, Europe, Mexico and South America in which he was responsible for the manufacturing processes of scientific and commercial glass containers.  Dick was a generous, humble and Christian man.  He did many things to help his fellow man. For example, to insure employees were able to get to work, he would go with each when they purchased a car to insure they were treated honestly and fairly.  His wife, Eleanor of 72 years and oldest son Richard preceded Dick in death.  Leaving Richard's wife Barbara of Coeur d' Alene, ID., a daughter Lynn of Boston, son Christopher and his wife of Charlotte, NC and son Stephen and his wife of Spokane WA.  Dick enjoyed his four grandchildren and six great grandchildren and several loving nieces and nephews.  Dad will be laid to rest with his wife at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Assumption Parish, 3624 W Indian Trail Rd, Spokane, Washington, with burial to follow, at 1:30 pm, at the Washington State Veteran's Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Rd, Medical Lake, Washington.

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