Richard Burress

Richard passed away suddenly on January 7, 2026, at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington, from an infection, despite the valiant efforts of the medical team there. His wife Frances, was at his side during this difficult time.

He was born to Warren and Helen Burress, grew up, and lived most of his life in Oakland, California. He also lived in Sacramento, California, for a short time and was at Fort Irwin while in the Army. He is survived by his wife Frances Tanabe Burress, sister Joan Hutchinson and her children, his godson John Ware, to whom he was a mentor in many areas, his family, and John’s sister Tiffany Ware. He also relished being a member of the Tanabe Family of many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Richard worked in San Francisco for many years in insurance, primarily in surplus lines, a specialty niche of the industry. He volunteered as a Concours Judge for many years at car shows from Chico to Santa Cruz. His transportation to the shows would often be his 1969 Jaguar XKE (red, of course) with a tool kit behind his seat. He was also an avid sailor (sail, not motor) and enjoyed sailing on San Francisco Bay with the Ware Family, Frances, and friends.

After retirement, Richard continued making pasta from scratch and cooking/hosting dinners with the Ware Family and other friends and neighbors. He and Frances also shared many Thanksgivings with the Meu family, who enjoyed his decadent chocolate desserts, including the way in which he presented them. He loved gardening and had many potted plants on the patio of his home in Oakland. He was a volunteer on the Potomac, the former Presidential Yacht of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and served on the maintenance crew where he scraped and painted various sections of the yacht and varnished the handrails many times. He would also serve as a docent on occasion. Many good times were had on the Potomac.

When Richard moved to Bainbridge Island, he continued to make pasta and continued to garden. The garden in Bainbridge was much bigger and flat, so he could indulge in a rhododendron “grove” as well as have other plants. The neighbors would often see him out tending to this and that around the house. He also volunteered at the Bloedel Reserve with the grounds crews, nurturing new plants, planting, and doing whatever was requested except weeding. He enjoyed the work and especially the camaraderie of the people with whom he worked.

In his prime, he could be a force to be reckoned with, but he had a good and kind heart. He enriched many lives. He and Frances enjoyed many cruises and other trips during their time together, which was all too short. Please remember him as a man who was a wonderful husband and partner, loved animals, had many interests, and was kind and ready to lend a hand. He will most certainly be missed, among other things, for his culinary prowess and being an all-around good person.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization of your choice or consider the Bainbridge Island Volunteer Firefighters, Attn: EMS* Program, 8895 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, or the Bloedel Reserve, ATTN: Grounds Crews, 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Thank you for your kind thoughts and friendship. 

*Emergency Medical Services

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA