Obituary of Richard Anthony Ferro

Richard Ferro PhD, June 07, 2021 Richard (Rick) Ferro PhD died Monday, June 07, 2021 with his wife and son steadily by his side. Born of Cuban immigrant physicians in St. Louis, MO in the early 50s, he died in his current home of Olympia, Washington. Rick is survived and already missed by his loving mother Dr. Carmen Ferro, his adoring wife Loren Ferro, his much loved son, Dylan Ferro. Rick is pre-deceased by his sister, father, and brother. Some people measure a lifetime as 33 years. Rick's first “lifetime” was for adventure drifting where his feet led around the world of caves, mountains, woodlands, islands – seeing new places and sailing to Alaska in a 30 ft sloop in the days before GPS and electronic ChartPlotters; his second lifetime was for academic pursuits, family/fatherhood – earning a doctorate at the University of Washington, revealing the worlds of anthropology and ethnic studies to new generations of college students and raising a fine son sharing his passion for baseball. Rick loved both of these lifetimes equally for the freedom, challenges, and fulfillment. Rick was fortunate to make it to lifetime #3, where others in his family had not; and his third lifetime had just begun with great plans for new types of adventures hiking, sailing, and traveling with his wife in retirement – this 3rd lifetime, before realizing the dream, was cut short by his 2-1/2 year personal war lost to cancer. Rick taught at Green River Community College, Tacoma Community College, and the University of Washington in Seattle. Rick is an alumni of the University of Washington, The Evergreen State College, and Columbia College (Missouri). In his second lifetime, Rick served terms in the role of President first for the teachers union at Green River College and later for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 21 in Olympia. At the time of his passing, Rick was a member in good standing of Aerie 21 and the South Sound Sailing Society and greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of the cruising set. Rick’s penultimate adventure will be moving with the tides through his favorite places in the Salish Sea. Memories and Condolences will reach the family if sent to the Ferros at 2103 Harrison Ave NW Ste 2 - 954, Olympia, WA 98502. Donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, any youth sailing programs of South Sound Sailing Society or Olympia Yacht Club, or The F.O.E. Charity Foundation.