Richard Earl Brink

Richard Earl “Dick” Brink, was born
on April 21, 1922, to William Fred
Brink and Klazina Houbolt Brink in
Minneapolis, Minn., and he attended local schools
there until Edison High School, where he graduated.
He was one of five children born to the union of William
and Klazina.

Dick was briefly employed by the Cream of Wheat
Corporation before enlisting into the Army Air Force
in 1942 during World War II. Stationed mostly in
Texas and California, he came to Walla Walla when
the Blythe California Air Base transferred here en
mass with the B-24s. Dick worked on the supercharger
division in the main hanger at the Walla Walla
airbase. He then transferred to Ephrata Air Base in
1945. When the war ended, he was then sent to Fort
Dix in Trenton, N.J., where he assisted in processing
discharges for the returning war veterans. He
was discharged in 1946, and immediately returned
to the Walla Walla area, where he worked at various
and sundry jobs until 1950, when he established his
own one-man plumbing business: “Brink’s Plumbing.”
He kept this business going for over 40 years
until he decided to retire, yet he continued to volunteer
his services for nonprofit organizations such as
church camps and schools. He also taught some basic
plumbing classes at Walla Walla Community College
and he liked to stay busy and took fond satisfaction
in restoring his rental properties. Many, many hours
were spent at the family cabin where a rope climbs,
horseshoe pit and soaking pits were carved at his cabin
in Kooskooskie.

His life was centered on his church and faith of his
personal savior, Jesus Christ. He spent many hours
leading and participating in church activities for a
number of years. He as the church director and song
leader for two churches: Trinity Baptist and the latter
being the Walla Walla Alliance Church. He always
looked upon the humorous side of life and always had
a joke (or two) to tell, but he regarded his relationship
with the Lord of prime importance. One of his
favorite hymns entitled “Day by Day” and his favorite
piece of scripture being Ecclesiastes 9:10. He lived a
spiritual life and walked daily with our Lord Jesus.
Dick always lived with extreme gratitude and for the
many daily blessings from above!

He married the love of his life, Phyllis Schaefer on
Nov. 25, 2004, and led a wonderful life with her until
she passed on Aug. 17, 2013.

He is survived by two sons, Dan and Ben Brink, both
of Walla Walla; daughter, Linda Jorgensen of Pasco;
sister, Beatrice Helmel of Louisville, Ky.; two granddaughters,
Samantha of Walla Walla and Arlene of
Pasco; two great-grandchildren, Allison and Maddox
of Pasco. Dick was preceded in death by his mother;
father; brother; two sisters; and his wife, Phyllis.
A special thank you to all the staff at the Washington
Odd Fellows for taking care of my father so well.

A celebration of life event will occur on Nov. 15, 2014,
at 2 p.m. at the Walla Walla Alliance Church, 902
Howard St., Walla Walla. In lieu of flowers, donations
and gifts can be made to Walla Walla Hospice. There
will be a small potluck following the life celebration
service in the basement of the church.