Richard J (Steve) Hicks, Jr

Richard, who was known as Steve for his whole life, was called home by his Lord and Savior to join his wife in heaven on June 26, 2026.

Steve was born on October 19, 1931, in Battle Creek, MI, to Richard J Hicks, Sr and Elizabeth (Betty) Kelleher Hicks. Steve grew up in Grand Rapids, MI before moving to East Lansing, MI to attend Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, which later became Michigan State University (Michigan State).

In his freshman year at Michigan State, Steve met the love of his life, Margaret Weber of East Lansing, MI, when she was a senior at East Lansing High School. Steve and Margaret continued to date when she also became a student at Michigan State. Margaret and Steve were married in May 1952. While at Michigan State, Steve was a member of the Army ROTC.

Steve graduated from Michigan State in 1953 with a degree in Civil Engineering and began his active duty with the US Army. During the three years, of Steve’s active duty and his reserve duty, he helped to build the early warning radar detection stations in northern Canada. Also, Steve and Margaret welcomed their eldest two children, Peggy and Jennifer. In 1956, Steve left active duty and continued in the Army Reserves. Between active duty and the reserves, the family moved many times. Steve and Margaret then welcomed their third child, Richard III. When the family was living in Park Forest, IL, Steve was told his next reserve duty assignment would be Anchorage, AK. In 1961, Steve resigned his commission in the Army Reserves as he felt he had spent enough time in the north.

Upon leaving the Army Reserves, Steve worked as an engineer in Chicago, IL, until he received two different job offers, one in Rio de Janeiro and one in Anchorage, AK. Steve and Margaret discussed the two job offers and decided that this was the second time that Anchorage had become an option and this must be a “sign”, so Steve accepted the offer in Anchorage. The family moved to Anchorage in late 1963 and were there for the 1964 earthquake.

Steve and Margaret became active members at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Steve became an Elk’s member. Steve worked on various construction projects, including the building of the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Also, Steve worked projects on the Richardson Highway. During this time Steve and Margaret welcomed their youngest son, Johnathan. When the Alyeska Pipeline was being built there was more construction work in Fairbanks, so Steve and Margaret moved the family to Fairbanks. While in Fairbanks, Steve and Margaret became active members of St. Matthews Episcopal Church. After three years in Fairbanks the family moved back to Anchorage. Steve worked on other various construction projects including building schools and housing in village communities in Alaska. Upon returning to Anchorage, Steve become a very active Kiwanis member and Steve and Margaret rejoined the St. Mary’s community.

Steve and Margaret both retired in July 1999 and moved to Kennewick, WA in August 1999. While in Kennewick, Steve and Margaret became active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Steve joined and was an active member of a local Kiwanis Chapter.

Steve enjoyed gardening, coin and stamp collecting, as well as helping others in need.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Richard Sr and Betty, his wife Margaret, and his sister Becky. Steve is survived by his children Peggy and her husband Jay of Sarasota, FL, Jennifer and her husband Ivan of Columbia, MO, Richard III and his partner Norma Jean of Las Vegas, NV and Johnathan and his wife Francine of Pasco, WA; his grandchildren, Anne, Morgan and Richard IV; his great-grandchildren Orion and River; and his brother Tom.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Kennewick, WA.