Richard Makler

Richard “Rich” Makler died unexpectedly of natural causes in his Kirkland, Washington home on June 15, 2020. He was 66 years old.

Richard was born in Philadelphia, where he still has family, and where he met lifelong friends Richard Freedman and Robert Edelman. He graduated from Albright College in 1976, and attended Temple University’s accounting program afterwards. Richard married his wife, Cindy, in 1978. They had two children, and eventually divorced.

Richard was proud of his mattress store chain, The Mattress Department. He lived in several places, sometimes to set up new stores, including Lancaster, PA and Nashville, TN. Eventually, his business came to Pittsburgh, PA, where he stayed for several years. After selling the mattress stores and partially retiring, Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream to move to the Seattle area, and recently purchased a home in Kirkland, where he was often visited by his good friend Jeanette Cheng.

Richard was a pilot and enjoyed traveling. He flew small aircraft to many different states, going as far as Alaska. A Saab enthusiast, he recently drove for Uber, and liked talking to his passengers. Richard loved watching old movies and playing board games. Skiing and tennis were hobbies of his as well.

Richard is survived by his sons David Makler and Jeffrey Makler, as well as his brother Kenneth Makler, nephew Adam Makler, and niece Elizabeth Makler. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Makler and Kalia Makler.

A funeral service will be held at Roosevelt Memorial Park on July 10, 2020. If desired, a donation can be made in Richard’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice.