Obituary of Richard Maley

Richard "Dick" Phillip Maley, age 83, died on February 25, 2014. He was a resident of Meadow Lake Village Memory Care in Meridian, ID, at the time of his death. Services will be held at a later date. Dick was born in St. Paul, MN, on August 23, 1930, to Edith Willwersheid Maley and Paul I. Maley, both born in St. Paul in 1895 and now deceased. His brother Paul J. Maley and two sisters, Florence Maley Gannaway and Lucille Maley Peterson preceded him in death. He is survibed by one sister, Charlotte Maley Maurer Seeger. A Korean War veteran, Dick served in the Army from 1950 until 1952, with 11 months as a front line medic. He returned to college after his service and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS degree in 1956. In 1970, he completed a MS Degree at USC. Most of Dick's work was in earthquake research with USGS in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. He traveled as a consultant to Japan, Indonesia, and other countries. Dick's interest was in making structures safer to save lives and lessen property damage. He retired in 1995 as head of the USGS Strong Motion program in Menlo Park, CA. Dick enjoyed athletics and was a member of a rowing team in St. Paul, MN. He continued his active life style by running in every state of the Union except one. He rode his bike more than 75 miles around Lake Washington in Seattle on his 75th birthday, played tennis, hiked, and skied. He was an avid San Francisco Forty-Niner fan. Dick married Rita Sifferle in 1957 in St. Paul, MN. Rita preceded him in death in 1986. He is survived by their five children, Cindy Maley Prien, Sharon Maley Hanson (Brett), Lisa Maley, Michael Maley (Lisa) and Patrick Maley (Celsa); and three grandchildren, Karly Prien, Nicole Maley and Dylan Maley. His wife, Doris Davis Maley of Meridian, ID, survives him. They were married in Lake Stevens, WA, in 1990 after a friendship of many years. He is also survived by stepsons Mark Davis (Shari) and Darrell Davis (Chris); and step grandsons, Emmett Davis and Riley Davis. Many nieces and nephews remember good times with their uncle when they were young. They called him their "fun uncle" because he played with them and told them funny stories. Dick had many friends and was loyal to those friendships. He lived his life by his motto: "Do what is right and treat people right". The family wishes to thank Touchmark Meadow Lake Village staff (Lisa Fay), Harrison Hope Hospice, Castle Rock Services (Debbie Hanson and Amanda Spearin) and Steve Neighbors of SOS for all they did to assist with Dick's care. Memorial contributions may be made to the Touchmark Foundation, Harrison Hope Hospice, the Alzheimer's Research fund, or the charity of your choice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family on Dick's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.