Richard Cyril McAllister

Richard Cyril McAllister, 81, died March 6, 2013, in Yuma, Ariz.

He was born Sept. 20, 1931, in Pine River, Minn., and came to Alaska in 1947 with his parents William and Alice McAllister and brothers, Larry and Robert. He graduated from Palmer High School in 1949. After high school, he worked on building the road to Seward as a surveyor. Soon after, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where he served during the Korean War.

Richard married the love of his life, Lavonna Eckman, on Jan. 9, 1953, in Yuma, Ariz. They spent 60 happy years together. Richard and Lavonna made their home in the Butte, raising their three children — Kurt, Kimberle and Sheryl. He then built a home on Finger Lake so he could park his floatplane. Richard had a passion for flying so he also built two cabins on his property at Lockwood Lake. He loved Lockwood Lake, where his children and grandchildren spent many summers with him. It is truly heaven on earth.

He worked for the federal government for 36 years as an operator at the Eklutna Power Plant. Richard was a great Alaskan Bush pilot for more than 30 years. He loved to hunt, fish and fly to his cabin on Lockwood Lake every chance he had.

He was a member of the American Legion for 40 years.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Alice McAllister; brother, Robert; and niece, Neva.

Surviving are his wife, Lavonna McAllister; children and their spouses, Kurt and Althea McAllister, Duane and Kimberle Hunter, and William and Sheryl Kunesh; grandchildren, William and Ryan McAllister, Levi, Karlie and Dalton Jacobs, Kristal and Derek Walker; great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Ryder Vanlue and Koleson Jacobs; brother, Larry and Dee McAllister, Lee, Carrie and Darcy McAllister; nephew, Darrell and Marissa McAllister; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews.

Richard was cremated in Yuma, Ariz. Per his wishes, his ashes will be spread at Lockwood Lake this summer. A celebration of life will be held this summer. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.