Dr. Richard Ellis Collingham, devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at his home in Richland, Washington on August 19, 2023 at the age of 85.

The only child of Ellis and Francis Collingham, Richard was born in Seattle on November 6, 1937. From an early age, Richard was a strong analytical thinker who was driven by curiosity and thrived on learning. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1955, he attended the University of Washington where he joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). In 1960, Richard received active duty status to earn a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Washington and was the first person to receive Extended Active Duty Status. Richard was assigned to the Staff of Admiral Rickover where he supported the U.S. naval nuclear program. Through church activities, he met the love of his life and future wife, Tarene. They were married on June 18, 1960 at the first Baptist Church in Seattle. During his naval service, Richard and Tarene lived in Virginia and Pittsburgh.

Upon completion of his active duty, the couple moved to Minneapolis where Richard completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation in 1969, the couple moved to the Tri-Cities where Richard continued to apply his strong work ethic during his long professional career. From 1969-2004, Richard improved nuclear power designs through engineering and management positions with Battelle, Westinghouse, Hanford, Exxon Nuclear, Siemens, Framatome and AREVA. He retired from AREVA in 2004 where he was the manager of Safety Analysis Engineering and Fuel Development. Dr. Richard Collingham was also an Affiliate Professor at the OSU/WSU Graduate Center where he taught part time, while working and also after retirement, for a total of 20 years.

A strong believer in keeping his brain sharp and body active, Richard enjoyed spending time with family and friends through traveling, playing bridge, fishing, gardening and hosting large get-togethers at their home. An avid traveler, Richard and Tarene visited dozens of countries on all seven continents of the world. They were also active members of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Tri-Cities Bridge Club #442. Richard and Tarene also organized and hosted "The Longest Day" silent auction fundraiser to help fight Alzheimer's on June 21st, 2018. In 2019, when Richard reached the rank of Advanced NABC Master level, he often commented that bridge was a team effort and credited Tarene with helping him achieve Masters level. Richard was also proud of his Boy Scout Eagle rank as well as the fact that both his sons and grandson Keyna were also Eagle Scouts. Some of Richard's fondest memories include over 50 years of fishing, including taking his two sons and daughter fishing in the pothole lakes, going with his "High School Fisherman" friends to fish for salmon and trout throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada and also deep-sea fishing/camping in Alaska with his sons Mark and John. Richard also spent many hours and weekends cheering on his three kids at swim meets throughout the northwest. He also enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii with family and friends, enjoying the flowers, fruits and vegetables from his meticulously maintained gardens and hosting large get-togethers with Tarene at their beautiful home on the Columbia River to celebrate the 4th of July and watch the hydroplane boat races.

A man of many professional accomplishments, Richard would tell you that his greatest joy came not from his work but instead from his role as a husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered and truly missed for his loving generosity and his loyal dedication to family and friends.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Tarene; their three children Mark (Sue) Collingham, Dr. John (Gen) Collingham and Suzanne Collingham; and their three grandchildren Keyna, Michael and Phoebe Collingham.

A private funeral service will be held at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane on August 23. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date in the Tri-Cities.

The Collingham family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Boy Scouts of America.