Richard Kaylor Welty was born October 19th, 1933, in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois to Jacob Sell Welty, and Mary Ellen Kaylor Welty. Richard's ancestors hail from Westmoreland County, PA. Richard passed away peacefully on December 25th, 2025 in Kennewick, WA. Richard is survived by his sister Kay Gilles, of Capitola, CA, spouse Valerie Ann Kurpieski Welty of Edgewood, WA, stepdaughter Lisa House Cooley, former spouse Joneen Lynn Calhoun, of Richland, WA, who is the mother of 3 of his 4 daughters: Kim Lygia Welty- Allen, of Dolores, CO, Kit Kaylor McBurney of Richland, WA, and Crista Kee Towne, of Kennewick, WA. Richard is also survived by daughter Nancy Lee Isaac Powell of Kansas City, MO, as well as 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew. Richard graduated in May 1951 from Shawnee Mission High School, KS, played basketball for the Blue Devils at KS City Kansas Community junior college, and then earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1958, and graduate studies in Information Engineering from the University of California in 1967.

Richard's career spanned over 36 years in the nuclear industry, 24 years at Hanford, working in management with the Tank waste, Special Isotope Separation, and Uranium/Plutonium Separation programs.

Richard's biggest joys in life were playing tennis and participating in competitions, being a pilot, his love of flying and being a flight instructor. He owned a small plane of which he logged many air miles. He also owned many champion dog breeds during his life, which included lastly three award winning Pugs that brought him endless joy. Another favorite activity Richard enjoyed was to travel to Sturgis, South Dakota for many years on his Harley- Davidson motorcycle for the annual rally. He was also an avid WSU Cougar football fan, and enjoyed traveling to watch them play.

Richard was very intelligent and enjoyed conversing about multiple topics.

There will be no services. Mueller's Funeral Home in Kennewick is in charge of arrangements.