McKechnie, Richard 'Dick' Darrell

Richard “Dick” Darrell McKechnie

Born in Benton County, Iowa, on June 3, 1931, Richard “Dick” McKechnie, 81, passed peacefully at home on March 30, 2013, with his wife, Pauline, and family close by. Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Phoenix Memorial Park, followed by a celebration of his life at the home of DeLoy and Bill Salazar.

Dick attended a country school in Fairfax, graduated from Atkins High School (1949), and was stationed in Maine while he served in the U.S. Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart, Pauline, in 1951 and moved his family to Arizona in 1960. As a mason, commercial masonry contractor, and president of the Arizona Masonry Guild, Dick helped build communities in the Phoenix area by constructing schools, shopping malls, restaurants, and offices complexes. He continued to be involved in the Lutheran Church throughout his life.

Dick was loved by most everyone he met - the young people who boarded their horses at his ‘mini' ranch in Glendale; fellow fishermen at Lake Roosevelt; friends and family he went hunting and golfing with; and the lifelong friends made during his time in the construction industry.

Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline; his three children, DeLoy (Bill) Salazar, Rhonda (Ernie) Cheetham and Kevin McKechnie; four grandchildren, Alexandra (Nathan) Faust, Richard McKechnie, Nicole (Craig) Franklin and Heather McKechnie; three great-grandchildren, Makayla and Savannah Franklin and Lily Dennison; and sister, Joanne Oftedahl.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus and Margaret (Hansen) McKechnie; and brother William McKechnie.

Although he retired his construction business before moving to Chino Valley in 2004, he continued to work until age 79. He loved people and touched many lives with his honesty, sense of humor and great smile. We all love him, friends and family alike.

He will truly be missed.

Published April 6, 2013 in The Gazette