Richard Alberta Polumsky

Richard Alberta Polumsky, 87, of Walla Walla entered
eternal rest on April 18, 2016. Richard was
born to Joseph Polumsky and Nellie Brooks Polumsky
on Jan. 13, 1929. Richard, affectionately nicknamed
“scrubs” by his family, was born in Peola, Wash. and
raised in Waitsburg. He graduated from Waitsburg
High School in 1948, joined the Air Force in 1950 and
worked as an engineer. After his service, Ricard was
awarded a National Defense Service Medal, United
Nation Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and a
Bronze Star for his service in the Air Force.
On March 5, 1951, Richard married his high school
sweetheart, Donna Jean Jeremiah, in Reno, Nev.
They enjoyed traveling around the United States
in their motor home, playing card games especially
“Nickel Nickel,” attending Walla Walla High School
and Whitman College sporting events and spending
time with their family.
Richard was an active member of the Walla Walla
community. He was a longtime member of the VFW,
attended Assumption Church and his local senior
center and was a 60-year member of the Elks Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and
Nellie Polumsky; brothers, Jasper, Hank and Allen;
sister, Ester; and wife of 60 years, Donna.
He is survived by his loving sisters, Alice Danielson
and Aggie Groom (Dale Groom); beloved children,
Teresa Maddess and Jeanine Proctor (Jim Proctor);
treasured grandchildren, Robyn Maddess, Jennifer
Maddess, Jeremy Maddess, Morgan Maddess and
Koby Jenkins (Justin Jenkins); great-grandchild, Riley
Jenkins; and countless loving family and friends
who were blessed to have known him.
Richard touched the lives of many people with his
kind smile and generosity and maintained his witty
sense of humor all the way to the end. Friends and
family are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Friday,
June 3, at 10 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in
Walla Walla. The family requests all donations be
made to the Blue Mountain Community Foundation
to support Waitsburg High School through the Herring
Groseclose Funeral Home.