There are some people who leave footprints wherever they go, and some who leave a little piece of themselves in everyone they meet. Rich McCool was one of those people.

Richard Sidney Ellsworth McCool, known to those who loved him simply as Rich, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026, in Longview, Washington, at the age of 88.

Rich was a lifelong son of the Kelso-Longview community. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a cherished uncle, a true outdoorsman, an adventurer, a gentleman, a storyteller, and, most of all, a friend. He lived a life full of experiences, but the greatest treasures in his life were always the people he loved.

Rich was the youngest of six children, growing up with five sisters. Family remained an important part of his life throughout the years, and he carried those bonds with him always. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his daughter, Kathleen and her husband Kevin; his brother-in-law Bob (Teri), a son in every way; and two sisters Dee and Lee. He also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews and a lifetime of family, friends and many memories.

Rich had a big heart and an even bigger capacity for laughter.

If you knew Rich, you knew his laugh. It was unmistakable. He could laugh until he cried, and before long, everyone around him would be laughing too. It was one of those rare laughs that filled a room and made you smile simply because he was having such a good time. That laugh will stay with all of us who were lucky enough to hear it.

Rich was a storyteller in the truest sense. He had a lifetime of stories to tell and a way of making you feel as though you were right there beside him. Some stories made you laugh, some made you shake your head, and some you had probably heard more than once—but you were always willing to hear them again.

He loved an adventure and never stopped being curious about the world. Rich traveled to many countries and embraced the opportunity to experience different places, cultures, and people. He collected memories wherever he went, and those adventures became part of the stories he brought home and shared with the people he loved.

Rich was an outdoorsman at heart and especially loved hunting. He enjoyed the time spent outdoors, the quiet of the woods, and the camaraderie that came with being outside. He also loved to read, always finding enjoyment in a good book and the opportunity to discover something new.

Perhaps what meant the most to Rich were his friendships. He was blessed with lifelong friends with whom he shared decades of memories, adventures, laughter, and deep bonds that only grew stronger with time. He cherished those friendships and considered them among life’s greatest gifts.

Rich was the kind of man who made memories without necessarily trying to. A conversation could become a story. A trip could become an adventure. An ordinary afternoon could become something worth remembering.

His 88 years were filled with family, friendship, adventure, travel, laughter, and love. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories and countless memories that will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Perhaps the best way to honor Rich is to keep telling those stories, keep laughing, keep loving our people, keep loving your people and keep a little room in our lives for adventure.