Richard Charles Saccomanno passed away at his home in Spokane, WA on Saturday, December 19, 2020 after a brief but fierce battle with COVID-19.  He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; children Kristen (Harry), and Mike (Carolyn); grandchildren Harrison, Annie, and Emma; brothers Randy, Rob (Pam), Ron (Karen), and Ryan; and a large extended community of family and friends.

Rich was born in Spokane on May 6, 1952 -- the second of five brothers to Mario and Annette Saccomanno -- and grew up in the family home on east Bridgeport in the Minnehaha neighborhood. He attended St. Aloysius Catholic School, Gonzaga Prep, and Eastern Washington University before serving in the United States Army with a post at Ft. Ord in Monterey, CA. Upon completion of his service, Rich returned to Spokane and began work with Empire Health Services, where he'd spend the next 28 years.

It was also during this time that he met, courted, and married Jeannie Akers and began his family with the birth of their daughter, Kristen, in 1980 and son, Mike, in 1983. Rich was a consistent and devoted partner to Jeannie, and a supportive and loving father and mentor for Kristen and Mike. He was always present for his family, never missing a game, recital, or concert -- and yet he managed to find time to earn two Master's Degrees, satisfy his entrepreneurial drive through Spokane Courier Services and The Bridgeport Group, and begin a second career with the Mead School District, where he worked until his passing.

Volunteer service has always been an important part of his life. Rich always felt he'd been extraordinarily blessed, and giving back however he could was simply the right thing to do.  He coached youth football, basketball, and baseball; volunteered for the Vanessa Behan annual phone-a-thon; served on parish councils and various nonprofit boards throughout the community; and, most close to his heart, volunteered weekly in the kitchen for the Women & Children's Free Restaurant for the past eight years.

Rich was always comfortable with himself and never needed to prove anything to anyone. His sincere humility was disarming, and may have been mistaken for a lack of drive if it weren't for his constant looking for "what's next."

He will be remembered for his profound love of his family, contagious laugh, boundless energy, unqualified kindness to everyone he met, steadfast humility, goofy sense of humor, and strong and tireless work ethic. He loved spending time with his family, enjoying summers at the lake, watching Gonzaga basketball, making his famous homemade spaghetti and meatballs, and hosting a legendary Christmas brunch. He had a magnetic quality around children and animals and absolutely delighted in spending time with his granddaughters. Rich was a man of deep but quiet faith and prayed the rosary daily. He loved working on projects around the house -- both his and everyone else's! -- because acts of service were his love language. He gave that love abundantly to everyone he knew.

The family will lay Rich to rest in a small, private ceremony and looks forward to being together with those he touched when it's possible to gather safely in large groups again. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Women & Children's Free Restaurant in honor of Rich's steadfast commitment to serving his community and desire to see no person hungry.