Richard W. Sielaff

Richard William Sielaff. October 26, 1927 to June 23, 2022 Richard William Sielaff passed peacefully in his sleep on June 23, 2022. He was 94 years old. Dick Sielaff was born in Des Moines Iowa and grew up in Ft. Wayne Indiana, spending summers on farms of relatives in Iowa. His parents, Helen and Carl Sielaff, raised him and his sister Carol. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended Ohio State University for six months under the G.I. Bill before basic training. Dick served from 1945 to 1947 in the 3114th Signal Battalion in the US and Panama. After leaving the Army, Dick enrolled in college at Northwestern University. He would pursue an academic career in higher mathematics at Illinois Institute of Technology, eventually earning a PhD in Mathematics. His career path led him to Northern Trust Company in Chicago, where in the late 1959's and 1960's he became a Vice President in the Management Science Division and pioneered the development of early computer applications for banking use. He continued on the forefront of electronic banking developments until his retirement from Northern Trust. That year he and his cherished wife, Barbara Sielaff (nee Ashley), moved from their long-time home in Naperville, Illinois, to Montrose, Colorado, where he could enjoy his love of exploring the natural wonders of Southwest Colorado high country, and could visit frequently with his daughter Ellen's family, who lived in the Denver/Boulder area. Dick and Barbara moved to Denver in 1986 where Richard worked as an energy analyst for Public Service of Colorado (now Excel Energy). After several years in Denver, Dick and Barbara moved to Vancouver, Washington, to be close to family. Dick was a constant and excellent caregiver for Barbara in her final years throughout her struggle with neurological illness. Barbara passed away in 2002. Moving to Vancouver allowed Dick to enjoy hiking and experience the natural beauty of Washington and Oregon, and to spend precious time with his beloved grandsons. After the death of his wife Barbara, Dick resided in apartments on Officer's Row and at Vancouver Center, enjoying downtown Vancouver through his later years. Dick encouraged and supported his grandsons in their education and cheered them on in sports. Dick leaves his family, Ellen and Bob Ives of Vancouver, grandsons David (Alyssa) Ives, Colton (Evelyn) Ives, and Jeffrey (Katy) Ives, and son Carl O. (Heidi) Sielaff of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dick enjoyed annual visits from his son, Carl, and they enthusiastically toured nature's beauty in the Pacific Northwest. He had the joy of visiting his great granddaughter Cora, spending quality time playing bridge with various local senior organizations, playing double solitaire with Ellen, and rolling dice in uncountable sessions of Yahtzee with his family. His intelligence, generosity, gentle strength of character, interested and caring presence always for family, and readiness to walk anywhere, anytime will be missed. Richard was a steady and steadfast pillar of his family, a strong, intelligent man who cared for those around him and was welcome anywhere he went. Richard and Barbara Sielaff will have a final resting place at Pioneer Cemetery in Salmon Creek. A service is not yet planned.

Richard W. Sielaff

October 26, 1927 - June 23, 2022