Richard Burton Maclam

Richard Burton Maclam lost his battle with prostate cancer on April 10, 2021.  Richard, affectionately known to all as Burt, was 93 years old at the time of his passing. Burt found humor in all things and was always happy to stop and swap stories with anyone who would listen.  2020 was especially hard on him as he no longer could walk to Fugate Ford to visit his work family. 

Over the years, Burt held memberships in the VFW, and Civil Air Patrol.  He loved to draw, take his family on jeeps runs, snowmobile, talk on the CB radio, and spend time fishing with his brother and friends he considered brothers at the family’s lakeside cabin.

Burt was born in Seattle, WA on November 28, 1927, and was a resident of Enumclaw, WA at his passing.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and shortly after found employment at I. Lachman and Sons.  That job sparked his interest in learning about clocks and watch making which led to his enrollment at Bradley University in Peoria, IL to study Horology.  Whether he actually loved watches, or he just loved the reaction he got telling people he studied horology, we will never know.

Burt proudly served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War, honorably discharged on February 17, 1952.  After returning to civilian life, he was hired as a machinist with Boeing and retired 34 years later.   Never one to sit still for long, Burt soon found a retirement job, working for Fugate Ford as a delivery driver where he was employed for another 25 years, retiring at the age of 88 years old. 

Burt met Barbara Jean Gourdine in August 1958 and the couple married on December 27, 1958.  Burt was married to “the love of his life”, and he regularly told anyone with an ear to bend that it was love at first sight the moment he saw her.   Burt and Barbara celebrated their 62nd anniversary in December 2020. They are proud parents to Richard S. Maclam (Shari), Colleen M. Maclam-Swenson (Ron), James W. Maclam, Kelli A. Maclam, and Sean P. Maclam.    

Burt and Barbara moved their family to Enumclaw in 1970, where they raised their children and have enjoyed watching their grandchildren and now great grandchildren grow up. Burt was a beloved member of the community, always making a friend with anyone whose path he crossed.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, William James Maclam and Felicia Helen (Burton) Maclam; brother, William Morris Maclam; and sister, Patricia Jean West.

Burt is survived by his wife, Barbara Maclam; children, Rick, Colleen, Jay, Kelli, and Sean; grandchildren, Sari Pabst, Josh Stager, Kyle Stager, Tory Stager, Brandi (Stager) Fredrickson, Jason Allenback, Kai Maclam, Liam Maclam, and Gina Filkins; and 10 great grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer; date and location still to be determined. Please share a memory of Burt on the tribute wall.

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