Dr. Dirck Hunter DeWitt, Sr., died suddenly on November 8, 2017, in Colfax, WA.

He made his entrance into the world 67 short years ago in Salmon, Idaho, the 3rd son of Sidonia "Donna" (VanRiper) and Melvin DeWitt, on July 19, 1950. The young DeWitt family spent time in Salmon, Rupert, and Moscow, with plenty of weekends and summers at "the place" in St. Maries. Dirck and his brothers, Wayne and Van, grew up surrounded by an extended family that enjoyed being outdoors and knew how to work hard.

Dirck graduated from Moscow High School in 1968 and enlisted in the Coast Guard that summer. He went to Coast Guard basic training in Alameda, CA, and then was stationed in Mobile, AL, Panama City, FL, and Pensacola, FL. In Mobile, he served on the Rambler. At the time of his discharge he was a Mechanic, 3rd Grade; his specialty was Aids to Navigation.

His adventures in the South earned him the nickname, Red. They also led him to his one true love, Deborah Hall. The two were married in September 1970, and welcomed their first child, Dirck, Jr., the following year. A daughter, Halo, joined the family in 1972.

Upon discharge from the Coast Guard in 1972, Dirck and Debbie (and their kids) left the South for the opposite end of the country: Idaho. Dirck started school at the University of Idaho in Moscow on the GI Bill. After two years completing prerequisites, the family moved back to the South (Spartanburg, SC, this time) where Dirck attended Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. He graduated in the summer of 1979.

His father may have suggested chiropractic as a career, but Dirck didn't only study the business; he was a genuine student of the philosophy. He lived chiropractic and loved sharing it with anyone who would listen—and even some who wouldn't.

The newly minted Dr. DeWitt and family once again moved across the country with the intention of settling into a home. Though they moved around for a few more years trying to find the best fit in a practice (making stops in Moscow, Clarkston, and Spokane), they eventually settled in Colfax.

Dirck and Debbie opened Colfax Chiropractic Clinic in October 1981 at 116 S. Main Street. His practice has been there ever since. Eventually, he traded in "Red" for "Doc."

Dr. DeWitt gathered a massive practice where everyone was welcome—including family pets and treasured livestock—and most people felt like family. He selflessly served people from not only Colfax but from around the region and all over the world . . . just never on Thursday.

Over the years Dirck was active in the Colfax and Washington Jaycees, the Colfax Eagles, the Colfax Elks, Hiram Masonic Lodge #21, and the Palouse Hills Muzzle Loaders. He loved to take long rides on the motorcycle with Debbie, ranging across the country quite a few times. He was a founding member of Sky Magic, shooting fireworks all over Washington and Northern Idaho. He always gave generously of his time and efforts to make the community a better place.

Dirck and Debbie own one of the last Victorian houses still standing on Main Street in Colfax. He was quick to say it was his lifetime project. Secretly, he took great pride in the restoration and found it to be a creative, if infuriating, outlet. He learned his craft throughout life and gave away his talents for the asking.

Dirck loved his family with a gigantic heart. His hugs were long and strong, and his kisses were sloppy. He doted on his mother until her passing in January. He loved Debbie passionately and deeply and was in a constant search for the perfect expression or token of his affection. He loved his kids unconditionally and was proud of all of their accomplishments. He welcomed their loves with open arms and was thrilled when grandchildren joined the family. He said, "Grandchildren are the reward for raising your own children." He spoiled his grandkids with copious amounts love, a healthy dose of adventure, and a few basic "Papa D's" rules: don't make me mad and don't hurt yourself. There will never again be enough hugs and kisses or I-love-yous in this life.

Dirck spent most of his life encouraging people to love more deeply and inciting them to laugh more often. He found joy in simply spending time with people. As an adult, he worked tirelessly to make legions of people feel better.

If you look closely, you just might be able to see flights of impossibly winged pigs flying an old quack to his rest.

Dirck will be profoundly missed by his wife of 47 years, Debbie, and his children and their families, Dirck, Jr., Lisa and Teigan of Spokane, and Halo, Jeff, Nate, and Willow Golden of Los Alamos, NM. He is survived by his brothers Wayne and Linda DeWitt of Palouse and Van and Darlene DeWitt of Walla Walla, as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends old and new scattered across the country.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Donna DeWitt , and his grandson, Jesper Golden.

Services will be held Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Colfax Fire Department Toy Box, any scholarship fund that you find acceptable, or simply get out and spend some time making your community a better place.