William Richard "Dick" Philpott passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Bellevue, at the age of 89. Born in Wenatchee to William L. and Nellie T. (McEneaney) Philpott, Dick lived most of his childhood on a farm south of Addy and graduated from Chewelah High School in 1943. Dick joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, training as a pilot of B-25 and B-26 Bombers. He took advantage of the GI bill and attended WSU where he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Dick had an affinity for working with troubled youth. He was one of the first two Juvenile Parole Officers in the state, initially assigned a 13-county area from Neah Bay to Goldendale. Dick was a social work administrator and acted as Superintendent of the Spruce Canyon Youth Forest Camp, 25 miles east of Colville, from 1961 to 1974. He retired in 1981 from his position as Regional Administrator of DSHS in Colville.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Ellie, of Bellevue; son Jerry, of Seattle; daughter Lee (Geoff Lee) of Mercer Island; and three grandsons, Benjamin, Peter, and Scott Lee. Eldest son, Dirk, died in 1973. The family will hold a private service following cremation. Burial will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Kiwanis Club of Colville, to benefit local youth activities.