Maurice "Dick" Richard Bernier, known as Dick, 66, passed away unexpectedly at home in Elma, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. As difficult as his passing is to understand, he is in the arms of Jesus in Heaven and we rejoice for him.
Dick was a beloved and loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, son-in-law, coworker and friend. Dick was raised in Packwood, Washington, after coming to the U.S. from Canada, immigrating to California, and then Packwood with his large, loving family. Dick had a love for the outdoors and loved hunting and dirt biking in his own backyard of the Pacific Northwest. He played basketball in high school and met many of his lifelong friends. He cherished those friendships and would not miss a reunion. Dick graduated from White Pass High School, married his first wife Arleta Scalf and attended college for welding. Dick and Arleta welcomed two sons, Jereme and Warren.
Dick found working in sawmills what he called his “God-given talent” in saw filing like his father, Philippe Bernier. In his 42 years of saw filing, he worked at Cowlitz Mill, Morton, Packwood Lumber, Packwood, Portac, Forks, Tubafor Mill in Morton, Columbia Vista, Vancouver and finally Weyerhaeuser Mill in Raymond where he retired in 2019. Dick loved saw filing and was the head saw filer (supervisor) for most of his career. He enjoyed mentoring and teaching the craft and served as past president for the Western Saw Filing Education Association.
Dick spent meaningful time with his nephew, Tom Young, bringing home venison and trophy-like antlers for display but also fond memories and stories shared repeatedly. After a divorce in 2008, Dick met Tori Houghton on Jan. 31, 2009, and they were married on Dec. 5, 2009, in Maui, Hawaii. They enjoyed family, friends, golfing and visiting friends and his “Sisters B” any time he could.
Dick was a good friend to many and kept in touch diligently. He loved deeply and was a quiet man with significant words when spoken. He loved the Lord and sought His ways. Dick supported Tori in various moves and shared many adventures. He served on the board of the Ronald McDonald House in Bend, Oregon, and they were members of the Highland Baptist Church, Ridgefield Nazarene and most recently attending the Elma Alliance Church. Dick enjoyed golfing any chance he could and working in the yard and on projects around the home.
Dick will be missed by too many to mention. He touched the lives of many. He was kind, loving, giving of talents and treasure, quietly witty, subtly funny, stubbornly set in his routine and was always looking for improving efficiency at home and at work.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Philippe Bernier and Michelle Parent Bernier; his brothers, Donald and Robert; his father-in-law, Dean Etl; and his nephew, Spencer Cheney. Dick leaves behind his wife, Tori Bernier; ex-wife, Arleta Bernier; sons, Jereme, of Sequim, and Warren Bernier, of Port Angeles; stepsons, Benjamin Wenger, of Pensacola, and Alexander Wenger, his wife Alesha and their son, Dick’s grandson, Oliver, of Woodland; stepdaughter, Lauren Wenger and AJ Leake, of Vancouver, his loving sisters and family, Ruth and Darrell Young, of Mossyrock, Suzanne and Kenneth Warren, of Arlington, Linda and Ed Cooper, of Randle, Helene and Lawrence Kelly, of Castle Rock, and Lorraine and Ronald Goodier, of Randle; and mother-in-law, Rose Etl of Mossyrock. Dick had multiple nieces and nephews he loved deeply.
A memorial service is planned for March 18 at the Elma Alliance Church at 315 N. Third St. Message Tori for details. Please consider memorials in Dick’s name to the Elma Alliance Church’s scholarships for Care-A-Lot Pre-School, 360-482-3722, or Summit Pacific Medical Foundation, 360-346-2250 or sp-mc.org/foundation.
