Richard "Dick" Martin Gratzer

Richard “Dick” Martin Gratzer, 70, died December 23rd, 2024. His birth was announced in the newspaper under the headline “Milkman is Papa.” He was born on December 2nd, 1954 to parents Richard (employed by Flett Dairy) and Rose. His youth was spent reading Marvel Comics and pretending he was a cowboy.

Like many young kids in the sixties, Dick’s life changed when Beatlemania arrived in America. His very first LP was Beatles ‘65. His friends at St. Charles Borromeo grew their hair long and declared that they no longer wanted to be part of the boring status quo – they instead wanted to be “bold, rash, and daring!” So Dick bought a guitar and learned some chords. The sky was the limit.

His first rock ‘n’ roll band was called the Cadavers (he would appreciate the dark irony of this appearing in his obituary). As a young adult, he’d go on to play in cover bands, performing at local bars and restaurants (as well as the occasional Pajama Ball). It was while playing gigs as the guitarist in the band Yesterday & Today that he met Sandra Ryan. They got married in 1982 and had two children, Rick and Riley.

His resume, written in 1978, stated he was “seeking a career as an electronics technician” and that he was “particularly interested in the field of digital electronics.” He eventually found what he was looking for at Boeing, where he worked for over thirty years. Not bad for a “self-employed entertainer.” His only other job later in life was as an actor, taking the unpaid role of “Stoned Bass Player” in the 2009 independent film Bestsellers.

Dick’s eldest son once described him as “like Jesus, except he swears a lot.” He was a true believer in the Christian ideals of generosity, kindness, and grace. He heard heaven in the jangly sound of a 12-string guitar, the drone of Indian and Celtic folk music, and three-part vocal harmonies. On the topic of religion, he agreed with the mysticism and wit of his favorite Beatle: “If you don't know where you're goin' / Any road will take you there.”

He is survived by his sisters Carol, Kathy, and Mary, and his brother Bob. His legacy as a musician (and computer science geek) is carried on by his son Riley. His need to proselytize about nerdy passions has been inherited by his son Rick. His unwavering and unconditional love for his children will live on through his ex-wife Sandi.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Rosewood Courte Memory Care.

Dick’s farewell memorial will be held at noon on January 18th, 2025, at the Point Defiance Pagoda in Tacoma, WA (5801 Trolley Ln, Tacoma, WA 98407). Please join us for a joyous remembrance. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a nonprofit working towards helping those with dementia, such as the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.