Richard S. Eidens

Richard S. Eidens, born November 16, 1952, passed away July 28, 2014, in his home on Bainbridge Island, WA that he shared with his best friend, Shannon Evans. Rick grew up in upstate NY, worked and raised his family in Salt Lake City, UT, before joining Varian Medical Solutions (Calypso) in Seattle, WA. Rick married Donna Shattuck in 1979 in Scotia, NY. With their children Katherine and Eric, they enjoyed the outdoors camping, hiking, and skiing. Rick found love again and shared his life with his kindred spirit, Shannon Evans. Their home on Bainbridge Island overlooked the water, where they filled their weekends with biking, kayaking, fishing, and walking their dogs on the beach. Rick enjoyed the view of the city as much as the view of ‘his' island and the Olympic Mountains on his daily commute by ferry to and from Seattle. Engineering was his career and his passion. Rick was happiest when trying to solve a complex problem. He earned a Ph. D. at the University of Utah in 1991. His studies were slightly delayed by his first cancer diagnosis. He was then cancer free for more than 25 years and spent that time supporting other cancer survivors. In early 2013, Rick was diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. He sought aggressive treatment and had the finest medical care; however, this time he was not able to beat it. Rick adored his granddaughter Micah Rose Walter. He loved being a grandpa as much as he loved being a dad. In addition to his children, Katherine (Dan Walter) and Eric, he was a father to Shannon's children, Taylor (Laura), Jennifer, and Colin Evans. He is also survived by his mother, Helen Eidens, brothers, Michael and Jerry, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Eidens and sister, Susan Eidens-Doebler. A memorial service is planned for October 19th in Chautauqua County, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations, in honor of Rick's love of learning, to the Eidens-Doebler Scholarship Fund, Scotia-Glenville Central Schools, 1 Tartan Way, Scotia, New York 12302.