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Richard A. Conta (1946 - 1997)
Richard Albert Conta was born October 5, 1946, in Utah and died of cancer at age 50 on July 12, 1997 in La Conner, WA. His parents, Colonel Al Conta and Helen Zoe Wolfberg separated when he was seventeen. While at Olympus, he cut a unique path which he exhibited all of his life. He had a pet monkey, which he named Darwin. After being drafted into the Army in the Vietnam era, he went AWOL, was arrested, and served two years in Fort Leavenworth Military Prison, which greatly disappointed his father.
He moved to the Skagit Valley in the 1970s where he joined the bohemian/artist community of Fishtown and lived in houseboats and shacks without electricity or running water. After several marriages, he married his fourth and final wife, Susan Walker. They honeymooned in Jamaica where Richard enjoyed his love of Rasta music and philosophy. While there he bought a used dugout canoe and outfitted it as a trimaran with lateen sails made from old tents.
While independent in thought and belief, he read the Bible daily. He and Susan built a thirty-foot scow with hand tools from salvaged wood and marine ply and launched it in the Missouri river at Ft. Benton, MT. Unfortunately, it was 1989, a year of severe drought, which brought the trip down the Missouri to a premature end.
A lifelong artist and musician, his livelihood for much of his life was his artwork. He was a well renowned wood carver in Skagit County where he lived in a stilt house and carved avocado pits into miniature super-detailed masterpieces. The Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, where he settled in 1981, had a show in 2010 in which 17 of Richard and Susan’s works were exhibited.
Richard donated money to poor "foster kids" in Guatemala and Haiti and wrote to them. At his memorial there were over 100 people. He gave away his small carvings like Mr. Rogers gave kind words, freely and lovingly.
He is survived by his wife Susan Walker Conta and his son Amedeo Alippio Bwana Conta.
(Susan is a guest member of our website.)
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Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Susan, you never went to war or Rich. but, many did.
So, this is what like for those who did.
Details: You carrying a major gun into a gun fight, life or death.
Tap the clip on your steel helmet because it reduces the distance in space between bullets in the clip.
That allows smooth flow to shoot the next round.
Rookies did not, and gun jammed. Vets lived.
DC
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Sunsan,
Cupcake, Dave and I love Limericks but probably not for most, so send to me and no one else can read.
Beat, Nantuckett, and Man from Adair , Defy you cupcake.
DC
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Send to me personally or all can read.
DC
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Next Door Neighbor Mike, known 30 years, could throw a rock through his window.
Buzzes around on a small tractor. Big yard of lawn. Single man and no dog.
So, call a mechanic friend, hey bud, let us go install seat belt on that tractor with a nitros system to be a dragster. Ok.
Sneak over, took a couple hours, but got it in.
Asked Mike for a race with lawn mowers up our street, mine front wheel drive and really old.
He accepted.
The Race. The night before the race, pasted on his steering wheel. Sur Le Guarde, FASTEN SEAT BELT.
We start and he hits the gas, Nirtos kicks in and flies, hits two garbage cans.
Dick what did you do? Not much.
DC
Jerry Pratt
Dick, Why are you posting so many comments on Richard Conta's site? Go for it, if you must. But they don't seem to make much sense. Post them on my page instead and let Richard and his family RIP. Jerry Pratt
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Susan,
Possted my response on Jerry Pratt web sight. Bark or not, up to you, hope OK.
DC
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
Susan, asked for the Olympic Condoms Rich made.
Need money? Send and re emberse, cannot wait to see his crap.
DC
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
What is funny for me about condoms, carried one in my wallet forever.
When needed, folded like a cheap tent, then sweat butlets and she too/
Always got the call from her ....Ok, started.
Could have gone the other way. Since no real committment, and having to leave, good.
But, other way....then will take care of you and baby. Would.
Been there and know.
DC
Jerry Pratt
DC, Please see my commont from 7/22/14 Jp
Richard J. (Dick) Clark
My lady, how doin"?
Be impressed by those who care. Lots think they care up to the point have to stand.
Just tell me where you are and if OK, will bring the Posse if needed.
Talk to us.
DC