Richard Michael "Dick" Bakken

Our beloved family member, brother and friend, Richard Michael "Dick" Bakken, (poet, teacher and editor), passed away from cancer on January 28, 2026 in Spokane, WA. He was born on August 24, 1941 in Miles City, MT to Richard L. and Dorothy L. Bakken, who proceeded him in death. His parents both worked long hours outside the home to support their family of 6, also raising their children instilling Christian and strong family ties and values. Dick was the eldest of their 4 children and is survived by his 3 sisters, Mary Brodhun of Port Angeles, WA, Sally Bakken and Debby MacKenzie both of Spokane, WA, his son, Eric Stewart of Bellingham, WA, his daughter, Cresey Maher of Seattle, WA, as well as 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Dick and his 3 sisters grew up in Spokane Valley, WA in an old 2 story farmhouse surrounded by trees and vast fields. It had previously been owned and farmed by his maternal grandparents (who continued to live close by), helping his hard working parents raise their children. Dick's eccentric Aunt Alva, (a talented, gifted artist and teacher) had a profound creative influence in his life. Dick was also close with his grandfather, as they enjoyed many outings, fishing and camping trips together and as he also listened to many old and true stories of his grandpa's youth growing up in South Dakota, (home of the 3 famous Indian chiefs, Crazy Horse, Red Cloud and Sitting Bull),...His grandpa, at the age of 16, (apprentice at a blacksmith shop), once cared for the 3 Chief's horses for them, as they attended an important meeting inside the shop! Two of Dick's favorite TV heroes, (who Dick impersonated as a young boy) were The Lone Ranger and Tonto, inspired by their trusted friendship, ("Kemosabe") and more magic stories of the wild west. Many Sunday and all holiday dinners (attended by other extended family members) were prepared and served by his grandmother in their home.

Besides being creative, Dick was also intelligent and a natural leader. At the age of 12 he became an entrepreneur as he created and was Editor of his own printshop from his room called, "The Tri-Monthly News," (a 6 page edition that included news, sports, editorial, and humor with advertising liberally illustrated by him with artistic pictures). He also delivered the publications as the circulation had reached over 50 at the time. His endeavor even earned enough recognition to be published, (along with photos) in the Spokane Chronicle's local newspaper. Other traits that were apparent as a young boy was his love and patience with animals of all kinds. After rescuing a tiny abandoned baby Robin he nurtured back to health, taught it to fly and as he whistled through his teeth, trained it to fly down from the trees and land on his shoulder. Throughout his life, animals and critters of all kinds gravitated to Dick. Even as an adult, some of his favorite pets were a wild Raven, 2 rescued baby opossums, Eddie the fish, (that includes an interesting wild and magical true story), and even a Praying Mantis named "BoBo" that was re-named "Bobette" after having a mess of babies!

Dick was a 1959 graduate of Spokane's  West Valley High School where he was active in many projects and activities, including youth groups of his family's church, both of where he had many close friends, some that he stayed in touch with throughout his life. After graduating high school he attended Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1963 with a BA, then followed up with the 1st ever allowed Creative Master thesis for his MA at the University of Washington. Dick lived most of his 1st 40 years in the Pacific Northwest, where he taught at Pacific Lutheran University, Portland State University, and was poet in residence at Jefferson College, (Allendale, MI). Beginning in 1966 and through his tenure at Portland State University he was a primary editor of the historical esteemed and avant-garde "Salted Feathers" poetry magazine. Running through 1969, in his gregarious style, he sometimes appeared in Salted Feathers as the "Poetry Chicken."

In 1970, Dick resigned his position as a tenured English Professor at Portland State University, citing his protests, resignation and reasons in his "Notes To The Institution" ending with, "It's now time to turn the page,"... and devoted his full energies to poetry for the next 40 plus years of his life. He traveled coast to coast for many years organizing poetry events, groups and readings, including significant contributions and documentation of The Bisbee Poetry Festival. Dick documented many poetry readings he organized around the nation, including of poets like Rita Dove,.. and he continued his gift of teaching in public schools and through grants with children, young poets, and adult programs. Dick was known for his creative imagination and interest in the magical, the transformational, and the bardic style of storytelling. He innovated techniques using intense meditation and research on what would go into his poems. He organized boxes of creative and academically useful files, some acquired by the University of Washington archives as early as 1970. Work is currently being done by his family, friends and professionals to have the rest of these significant archive, videos, audio recordings, and many more boxes of his magical research notes for both finished and unfinished poems, to be moved into an as-yet undetermined, or finalized Special Collections Library. Dick published many books of poetry and won many grants and honors for his work. Most of the last 40 years of his life he lived and worked in Bisbee, AZ. Once home to one of the more significant poetry festivals of the latter 20th century, much of it co-organized and dominated by Dick Bakken. Bisbee is a historic mining town from the wild west period, famous for it's copper booms, wealth of architecture indulating into the Mule Mountain hillsides, eventually transformed into the vibrant arts community it is today.

Some of Dick's other favorites included ice cream, action movies (as well as history channels), music, still loving his favorite artists from the 50's and 60's, (like Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis), and always young at heart kept up with current music and dance moves, still rocking out and dancing in his 80's at "The Hitching Post Saloon" in Bisbee. A huge and sincere thank you to his many friends in Bisbee that loved and helped him, making it possible for him to survive and enjoy those rough last few years he had living in Bisbee, where his heart and spirit still remained. 

Dick moved back to Spokane in September of 2024 to be closer to his family and better healthcare living, while continuing to do open mic poetry readings at "Auntie's Bookstore" and "Neato Burrito's" restaurant until his declining health, illness and subsequent death. His vibrant spirit, great memories and his poems will live on forever in our hearts. We thank the Lord for the blessing of Dick's life and all of his contributions, gifts and love that he shared with us. He will truly be missed by many.

             Christmas 1964

Gazing from a snowy window,

I noticed a nest of straw woven

Loosely among fir branches.

With a sudden down-rush of

Wind I glimpse the emptiness.

Oh, if it is empty, if he is gone, 

Let us say he has flown. Let us

Say we shall see him weaving

In fir boughs again new straw

And singing, singing, singing!

                -Dick Bakken-

Burial of Dick's remains at Pine's Cemetery in the Spokane Valley and a memorial service/celebration of life, will be planned in the spring.