Richardson a dedicated advocate for fish and wildlife issues

OLYMPIA- Norm Richardson of Yakima, who died last week, devoted himself to fish and wildlife needs for a half a century, including a dozen years of service on the citizen panel that oversees the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Richardson was appointed to the Washington Game Commission in 1983, and continued to serve on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission until 1995.

He died Feb. 17 in Tucson, Ariz.

"Norm's firm belief in the importance of involving the public in fish and wildlife issues continues to influence the commission as a whole to this day," said Fish and Wildlife Commission Chairman Kelly White.

Richardson was born in Big Falls, Mont., and moved to Yakima in 1932, where he later owned and operated Easley Hauling and Sun Country Estates.

A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, Richardson was a three-time president of the Yakima Valley Sportsmen's Club in the 1940s. In the 1980s he played a key role in the campaign for Initiative 90, which sought to establish a stable funding base for Washington fish and wildlife management through the use of dedicated sales tax revenues.

Richardson was instrumental in the successful campaign for Referendum 45, passed by voters in 1995, which placed control of WDFW under the Fish and Wildlife Commission, a nine-member citizen panel.

"Norm's dedication to fish and wildlife issues and his exemplary record of citizen involvement is an inspiration to Department employees and all citizens who care about these resources," said WDFW Director Jeff Koenings.

Richardson is survived by his wife Mary, of Yakima; three sons, Dennis and Jerry, both of Yakima, and Leo of Spokane; a daughter, Susan Miller of Damascus, Ore.; 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Burial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 26) at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5315 Tieton Drive, Yakima.