Earl "Rick" Richard Vanatta Obituary (1938

Earl Richard “Rick” Vanatta, 84, “departed” peacefully on August 25, 2022, in Washington, Utah. Rick was born in Chico, California on June 13, 1938, to Earl Reuban and Eleanor May “Peggy” (Kollenborn) Vanatta. Rick was raised in Chico, California. He married Catherine Susan Davis and raised his family in Chico until moving to Canby, Oregon in 1973. He divorced in 1987. In 2012 Rick moved to Washington, Utah where he built a home next to his son and best friend, Tom. Rick worked as an Electrician until suffering a spinal cord injury which ultimately led him to obtaining his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Portland and becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. He was proud to have worked and retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Hydroelectric Design Center. As a young man he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. In later years he enjoyed the travel he was able to do while working for the Corps and once retired he was content continuing to learn new things and exploring the world through books, videos and his computer. Rick is survived by his daughter Catherine Gail Vanatta of Canby, Oregon and son Thomas Matthew Vanatta (Laura) of Washington, Utah, 6 grandsons: Maxwell Grayson (Aimee) Rounds, Samuel Richard (Andi) Rounds, Benjamin Thomas Rounds, Rhys Garth (Amalya) Vanatta, Gage Mathew Vanatta, Jerett Peter Vanatta and 2 great-grandchildren: Nichole Gray Rounds and James Karl Rounds. Rick was preceded in death by his son Richard Garth Vanatta, son-in-law Gray Allen Rounds, grandson Hayden Thomas Vanatta and his parents Earl and Peggy Vanatta. There will be a private graveside service in Chico, California with immediate family where Rick will be placed next to his parents and son Garth.