Richard left us on Christmas Day after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Teaneck, New Jersey to Jack and Mary (Lynch) Pullen, he was the middle of five children. The family moved a few times before settling in the St. Louis area where Richard lived for more than 20 years. He was a studious man who worked as a newspaper columnist, auctioneer, musician, clock repairman, and high school teacher; but he found his true calling as a father.
When his son Bennet was young Richard took a job at the YWCA daycare so he could be with his son while he worked. In 1990 Richard moved to Washington and realized this was his perfect place. Here, daughter Alicia was born, and they enjoyed weekends spent at Carol’s Laundromat, eating fish-and-chips, and finding anemones at the boatyard.
He met Mahalah Moore when they both worked in downtown Port Townsend, he as the “clock guy” and her as the “chocolate lady”; when they married in 2001 Richard gained many new local family members. He retired from teaching in North Kitsap and enjoyed the next eight years camping, spending time with family, indulging his nephews, and gossiping about the birds and other wildlife that visited his backyard.
He was predeceased by his parents and his older sisters, Jo Ann Perrius and Jacqueline Sardanis. He is survived by his wife Mahalah Moore; son Bennet Pullen (partner Chyna Riedal); daughter Alicia Pullen (son-in-law, Wei Hsiung Shen); sister Peggy Pullen; brother Steven Pullen; as well as many nephews and nieces.
A memorial will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 11, 2023 at the Cape George Clubhouse, 341 Marina Drive, Port Townsend.
