Richard Perry Neher

One of Walla Walla’s most revered elder statesmen, Richard Perry Neher, known lovingly as Pa, died Wednesday afternoon, November 28, at his home on Reser Road.

Neher, who served as principal of Walla Walla High School for twenty years and then as State Representative from the 16th District, was born December 16, 1930.  He had been hospitalized several times in recent weeks.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn, who died on October 29, 2012.

A 1949 graduate of Walla Walla High School, Neher spent his entire life in this community except for two years while he pursued his master’s degree at Springfield College in Massachusetts and two years in the Army.  He and Marilyn were married August 6, 1957 and they returned to Walla Walla where he spent 34 years as a teacher, coach, and principal.  He retired in 1990 and almost immediately began his career in the legislature.

He was the 1984 Washington Secondary Principal of the Year and served as president of both the Washington Association of Secondary Principals and the Association of Washington School Principals.  He also served on the board of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

He was a member of the Walla Walla Rotary Club and president of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce.  He was also a member of the board of the Southwest Washington Fair and Frontier Days and in 2006 served as grand marshal of the fair parade.  He was a five-time chair of the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede.

In 1999, he was honored as a Walla Walla High School graduate of distinction.  This year he received the Sally Rodgers Award from Whitman College for lifelong achievement.  Neher was a graduate of Whitman College with a degree in education.

In later years, Dick and Marilyn traveled extensively with the Elks 287 Wheelers and the Many Waters Sams RV group.  The Neher Family loved camping, fishing, and RVing.   Both he and Marilyn also worked at Clay in Motion, which is owned by their son Bob and his wife, Corina.  Dick was active in the shipping department up until his death.

This fall, he made one last major contribution to the high school where he served with such distinction.  He narrated the video for the bond campaign that passed with a 72.52% approval rating.  It was a fitting tribute to one of Walla Walla’s most distinguished educators and to the people of the Walla Walla community who value education so highly.

Family was very important to Dick and he lived side by side with his sons Bob and Mike and their families on the Neher farm.  Dick and Marilyn maintained a swimming pool next to their home that was a magnet for family and friends.

Sundays were Seahawks day and the family would gather with “Happo” to have dinner and watch the game.

Clay in Motion actually began as a family enterprise in a building on the Neher farm next to Dick and Marilyn’s home before it outgrew its beginnings and was moved to a large new facility just over the Stateline north of Milton-Freewater.  Three generations of the family have been involved in the business.

Meanwhile Dick’s oldest son, Michael, was a career enlisted man in the U. S. Navy.  He has since retired and is working for the City of Walla Walla.  Bob’s wife Corina remains a partner at Clay in Motion and Michael’s wife Karen works as an Intervention Specialist at Lincoln School in Walla Walla.

Dick was well-known for his patriotism and his pride in both his local community and the nation.  He took particular pride in the fact the ROTC program at Walla Walla High School has a long and proud history.

As an educator, Dick genuinely rejoiced in the successes of those around him and often was a major contributor to their accomplishments through his tireless energy, his abiding faith in the potential of his students, his sense of humor, and his constant encouragement.

As an educational leader in Walla Walla, in the State of Washington, and at the national level, he was dynamic and effective.  He could inspire others and bring them together.  He worked tirelessly in his education career and in the Legislature and was usually the first to arrive and the last to leave at night.

Throughout his career, Dick found satisfaction in being able to help guide the way for thousands of students.

Dick is survived by his sons Michael and his wife Karen of Walla Walla and Bob and his wife Corina, also of Walla Walla.  He is also survived by five grandchildren including Jacob Neher (Aleta), Jordan Neher (Alicia), Derek Neher (Sarah), Stuart Neher (Britney), and Jeffery Neher as well as six great-grandchildren – Aidan, Zoe, Adalynn, Bobby, Leo, and Miles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Neher.

One of Dick’s great grandsons recently told his mother, “Happo was my favorite adult.”  Truth be known, that sentiment was shared widely by those who knew him.

A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at Mountain View Cemetery on December 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.  A celebration of life will be held at the Walla Walla Country Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Memorial Contributions in Dick’s name may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.