Richard Cleven

passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 19, 2008 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. He was 88.He will be greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Gladys, his son, Loren (Donna), and granddaughters Coleen and Kathryn of Bainbridge Island. He was pre-deceased by his sisters Viola and Selma.Richard was born to Nels and Alice Cleven in Lemmon, South Dakota. At age 3 his family moved to Wenatchee, WA where he graduated from high school. After 2 years in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Richard moved to Bremerton, WA to work as a blacksmith at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During World War II he proudly served his country in the Pacific as an aerographer onboard the USS Prometheus (AR-3).In 1946, Richard married Gladys Rone of Seattle. He later received his B.Th. from Simpson Bible College and his B.A. and teaching degree from Seattle Pacific College. The Cleven family moved to Bainbridge Island in 1957, when Richard accepted a position to teach Spanish and History at BHS. Two years later, he returned to blacksmithing until an industrial injury forced him back to a desk job. When Seattle First National Bank built their high rise headquarters in downtown Seattle, he began a 20 year career as the locksmith for "the box that the Space Needle came in".Dick began his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America in 1958 and continued as a Cubmaster, Committee Chairman, Scoutmaster and Unit Commissioner until 2001. He led scouts on three 50-mile hikes in the Olympics, but was best known for the more than thirty 50-mile canoe trips that he participated in or led. Generations of Bainbridge Island scouts knew him as their friend and leader and the BSA honored him as a Silver Beaver recipient and a James E. West Fellow. For Dick, the scout oath promising duty to God and country was very much a privilege. He welcomed the opportunity to showcase God's creation and demonstrate the rewards of reverence.His love for the outdoors and hiking also led him to join the Kitsap Monday Hikers upon his retirement. Over the past 20 years he has spent many happy hours planning and participating in their activities. Dick also participated in the Sierra Club, the American Legion and in 1985 was honored by the Bainbridge Rotary as Man of the Year.For over 40 years, Richard was actively involved at Bainbridge Bible Chapel; serving as an elder, deacon and treasurer. Over the past 20 years he has also faithfully attended Keyport Bible Church. As he faced increasing health problems, his deep faith in God sustained and encouraged him.Two years ago, Richard and Gladys moved from the family home in Seabold to Montclair Park in Poulsbo. More recently he was recovering from surgery at Island Health and Rehab. The family is indebted to their staffs, as well as to the BIFD 911 response unit and to Harrison Hospital Bremerton staff for their loving care of our husband and father.A family burial took place on Friday, November 28th in Seattle. A memorial service in honor of Richard's life will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m. at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. Remembrances to the Yeomalt Cabin Project or to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission are appreciated.