Obituary of Richard Kenneth Puttkamer

Richard Kenneth Puttkamer, passed away peacefully on Tues., Nov. 22nd, 2016, in Vancouver, WA after being briefly hospitalized with heart failure. Richard “Putt” Puttkamer was born Dec. 17, 1943 in Portland, OR. He was the son of Lieutenant Col. Kenneth Puttkamer and Bernice Carlson Puttkamer. He spent much of his childhood on Air Force bases around the world, namely in Damascus, Syria, Beirut, Lebanon and Tripoli, Libya. Due to his time abroad, he spoke seven languages, including Russian, two dialects of Arabic, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. He loved the opportunity to meet an unsuspecting native speaker of these languages and spark up a conversation. Richard attended classes at the University of Maryland while he was in Germany. He attended the Naval Academy for one year in 1962 and then served in the Naval Reserve until 1968. Putt worked for Armed Forces Network during his junior and senior years in high school while in Libya. That work led him to directing the news, beginning his career in Washington, DC at WTTG and later in Needham, MA, where he directed the news for 30 years at WCVB-Boston, an ABC News affiliate. When he wasn’t directing the morning and midday news, you could find him fly fishing in places like Tall Timber Lodge, Moosehead Lake and Grand Lake Stream, Maine. He was known in his fly fishing circles for originating a fly called “Putt’s Favorite,” but to his friends he was known for telling a good joke, or two, or three or four. He had a keen memory, was sharp-witted and loved talking about history and anything related to the Navy, Air Force or Military. Richard returned to the Portland/Vancouver area in 2001, where he became affiliated with the American Legion Post 14 (2002 – 2007) in Vancouver and Post 122 (2007 - present) in Washougal. Putt joined the 40et8, Voiture Locale 99 in Vancouver, in 2003. He rose through the Locale offices to Chef de Gare in 2010 & 2011 and went on to become Grand Chef de Gare du Washington in 2014. Richard is survived by his daughters, Kristin Puttkamer of West Hollywood, CA and Gretchen Roethle (Paul) of Berkeley, CA; his granddaughter, Zoe, and soon-to-arrive grandson. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Puttkamer, his mother, Bernice Carlson Puttkamer; and by his step-mother, Ruth Calavan Puttkamer. A memorial/wake will be held January 14th at American Legion Post 122 in Washougal WA/ January 15th at the 40et8 in Vancouver, WA. Please contact Mike via e-mail at hdcooper.mike@gmail.com or call 360.837.1294 for more information. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to: Voiture 99 Attn: John Clapp 13208 NE 5th Ave Vancouver, WA 98685-2579 http://www.voiture-99.com/ Clark-Skamania Flyfishers PO Box 644, Vancouver, WA 98666 Vancouver, WA 98666 http://www.clark-skamania-flyfishers.org/index.html