Dick Donald Milks

Dick Donald Milks was born on May 17, 1930, in Corry, Pennsylvania, a small industrial city in northwestern Pennsylvania's Erie County. His birth coincided with the onset of the Great Depression, placing him among the generation that would come of age during America's greatest economic hardship and later serve with distinction during the Korean War.

At the age of twenty, Dick answered his country's call to service, enlisting in the United States Army on April 2, 1951, during the height of the Korean conflict. He was assigned to Ladd Field in Anchorage, Alaska, where he served with the 4th Infantry Regiment. Historical records confirm that the 4th Infantry Regiment was stationed at Ladd Field from 1950 through 1956, providing critical Army personnel for base defense and Arctic operations. Dick's dual role as both a rifleman and medic represented the demanding nature of Korean War service, where soldiers often carried multiple responsibilities in challenging conditions. He earned the rank of Private First Class before his honorable discharge on March 19, 1953, after nearly two years of faithful service to his country.

Following his military discharge, Dick made the pivotal decision to relocate to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Walla Walla, Washington. It was here that he began what would become a distinguished five-decade career as a journeyman mason. The post-war boom in construction throughout western Washington provided ample opportunities for skilled craftsmen, and Dick's military training in discipline and attention to detail served him well in his new profession.

Dick's masonry work encompassed the full spectrum of construction projects—residential homes, commercial buildings, and churches—structures built with the intention to endure. His approach to the craft was characterized by meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality. Colleagues remembered him as a craftsman who took genuine pride in precision and durability, generous with his knowledge, patient with apprentices, and uncompromising about the standard of his work. Every brick was laid with care, every job completed to the highest standard—principles that reflected both his military training and personal character.

In 1986, Dick made another significant geographic move, relocating to Auburn, Washington, a strategic location along the Interstate 5 corridor between Seattle and Tacoma. This relocation positioned him at the heart of the Pacific Northwest's major development zone, where he continued his masonry work for more than forty additional years. His retaining walls and masonry structures remain visible across the region's landscape, serving as a tangible legacy of his skilled craftsmanship.

Dick's personal life was anchored by his devotion to family. He was blessed with five children: Melissa, Jennifer Lynn, Loni, Carry, and Ron. His influence extended through three grandchildren—Kiel, Tyler, and Tommy—and four great-granddaughters who carry forward the steadfast character of their patriarch. To those who knew Dick, he embodied a quietly powerful presence: a man of few words, decisive action, and genuine kindness.

Throughout his later years, Dick found solace and joy in fishing, which became his one great passion beyond family. This recreational pursuit provided respite from the physical demands of masonry work and reflected his appreciation for the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. His fishing expeditions were taken whenever opportunity allowed, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to prioritizing work and family responsibilities.

Dick's legacy extends far beyond the physical structures he built. His patient mentoring of apprentices ensured that traditional craft knowledge was passed to the next generation during an era of increasing industrialization. His commitment to quality and integrity in work represented values that transcended mere professional competence to become a way of life. The military values of duty, discipline, and steady resolve that were instilled during his Korean War service remained defining characteristics throughout his civilian life.

Dick Donald Milks passed peacefully on March 18, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, at the remarkable age of ninety-five. His longevity reflected a life well-lived, structured around meaningful work, strong family connections, and unwavering principles. A military honors ceremony was held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, where full military honors and flag presentation were rendered in recognition of his service during the Korean War.

The family's request that memorial donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars reflected both the centrality of Dick's military service to his identity and their commitment to supporting the ongoing needs of America's veteran community. In death, as in life, Dick's example continued to serve others, embodying the values of service, craftsmanship, and integrity that defined his remarkable journey from a small Pennsylvania town to the landscapes of western Washington, where his work literally shaped the communities that countless families would call home.