April 13th, 2016

​Richard Geary Tubbs
Richard Geary Tubbs, 67, of Palmer, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.
Richard was born to the late Ernest and Annah Tubbs in 1949, in Missoula.   He graduated from Drummond High School in 1967.   
In 1967, Richard moved to Dillingham, Alaska, where he was employed by Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in finance and accounting. While in Dillingham, Richard learned to pilot small aircraft and had many adventures (and misadventures) with his good friend Charlie “35” Layman.   Together, they built a cabin on Nuyakuk Lake, which Richard would tell you the State later stole from them.   But that is another story.
Richard relocated to the Mat-Su Valley in 1990 and began work as the Executive Director of Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc. (now Mat-Su Senior Services).   Under his leadership, the services available to seniors throughout the Mat-Su Borough expanded tremendously.   Thousands of older Alaskans have lived longer, better lives because of Richard’s vision and dedication.
Richard was mechanically gifted.   His ability to effectuate repairs of any nature was exceeded only by his talent for breaking things.
Richard is survived by his daughter, Trina Tubbs; step-daughter, Patricia Westbrook; partner, Rachel Greenberg; sisters Carol Ann Wertz, Betty Lu (Steve) Smith; Merri Joyce (Jim) Henderson, Mikey (Gary) Wilmonen, and Kathy June (Billy) Estes; many nieces and nephews; and all the people who cared and loved him.
He loved his family dearly, and he always treated his mother the way a son should.  Richard was an avid pilot, hunter, adventurer, mentor, friend, and father.  
Richard adopted several dogs that needed families, usually involuntarily, and then spoiled them until they were almost too fat to walk.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Mat-Su Senior Services at 1132 S. Chugach Street, Palmer, Alaska  99645.
There was a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mat-Su Senior Services.  Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 11:30 at Drummond Community Hall in Montana.

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