Richard “Dick” John Passe

Richard “Dick” Passe, of Peoria, Arizona, passed away on March 24, 2026, after a short illness. He was 78 years old.
Dick was born on January 26, 1948, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Frank and Rose (Flies) Passe. His early life was shaped by both hardship and resilience, losing his mother at a young age and being raised with the support of extended family. These early experiences helped form the foundation of strength, independence, and work ethic that would define his life.
In Rochester, Dick met the love of his life, Susan, his middle school sweetheart. They were married on November 7, 1969, beginning a lifelong partnership built on commitment, shared values, and family. Together they raised three children: Richard (Jeri), Jason (Cristina), and Shannon (Lonnie).
Early in his career, Dick owned and operated his own business, Passe Plumbing and Heating in Plainview, Minnesota, where he built a reputation for quality workmanship and reliability. In 1980, Dick and Sue moved their family to Arizona, where he continued to build both a career and a legacy. A Master Plumber by trade, Dick spent more than 30 years working on commercial projects across the Valley. He joined Marlin Mechanical Corporation in 1985 and remained there until his retirement in June 2015. He was known for his precision, integrity, and uncompromising standards—famously willing to start a full day’s work over if something was off by even a quarter of an inch.
Beyond his profession, Dick was exceptionally skilled with his hands. He built a weekend cabin in Munds Park, AZ and built the home where he and Sue lived for the past 30 years—a horse ranch in Peoria known as Daley Wind Ranch. There, he supported Sue’s passion for horse showing and helped build a space where horses were boarded, trained, and cared for over many years.
Dick had a natural gift for math and problem-solving, paired with a relentless work ethic and a deep sense of pride in doing things the right way. He was also known for his dry sense of humor—quick, understated, and present even in his final days as he shared light moments with doctors and nurses.
He found joy in the simple things: fishing, time in the mountains, and most of all, being with his family. Dick was also known for being sociable with his neighbors, often engaging in long front-yard conversations that could stretch on and on—usually ending with a smile and his familiar phrase, “it never ends.”
Dick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan; his children, Richard (Jeri), Jason (Cristina), and Shannon (Lonnie); his grandchildren, Sarrah (Matt), Jeremy, Ashlee, Francesco, Aria, and Logan; and his great-granddaughter, Hera. He is also remembered by extended family and many friends whose lives he touched through his work, kindness, and quiet strength.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 2.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Dick’s memory.
In the end, what Dick built wasn’t just homes, businesses, or even a ranch—it was a life grounded in hard work, quiet humor, and deep love for his family. And while he may have often said, “it never ends,” the conversations, the lessons, and the memories he leaves behind truly never will.