Dr. Frederick William “Ric” Prael, 67, passed away at his home overlooking Holmes Harbor on Jan. 9, 2011. Our beloved Ric died peacefully at sunrise in the company of family and friends.
Ric was born on March 27, 1943, in San Francisco, Calif., to Glorietta (Nygren) (Prael) Pierson and Frederick T. Prael. In 1953 the Prael family relocated from San Francisco for reassignment to VP-2 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station; a year later his father was determined missing in action as a result of combat during the Korean War. Ric went on to graduate with honors and as president of his class from Oak Harbor High School. He is also a graduate of the University of Washington earning the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery.
A memoir-worthy road trip hitchhiking across America and continental Europe inspired affection for Whidbey that convinced Ric to return to the Island to raise a family and begin his dental career. He married Victoria C. (Dalinkus) Prael on Dec. 30, 1967. The couple had two children, Katharine E. (Kate) and Frederick T. (Trace) Prael.
In 1975 “Dr. Ric” opened a private family dental practice that flourished for 35 years at 307 First St. in downtown Langley. Ric retired from dentistry in 2010 and transitioned his practice to Dr. Edward Park to spend more time with his family and friends, traveling at home and abroad, beachcombing, enjoying the harbor and garden and in service to the community of South Whidbey.
“The knowledge of impermanence that haunts our days is their very fragrance.” — Rilke
Ric Prael’s passion for philanthropy, mentoring, his practice, staff and patients, his family and three decades of service aimed at building community on Whidbey Island and abroad were lovingly acknowledged in an article announcing his selection as a “Hometown Hero” that was recently featured in the South Whidbey Record on Jan. 15, 2011. Visit www.southwhidbeyrecord.com for details.
Ric is survived by his two children and their spouses: Kate Prael Asgari and Tony Asgari of Seattle, Trace and Simona Prael of Freeland; his four siblings and their families, Carolee Martell of Port Angeles, Penny Amsler of Redmond, Bill Pierson, Jr. of Panama, U.S. Navy Captain Randy Pierson of Texas; and his two grandchildren, Traynor Z. and Kaia S. Prael of Freeland.
In lieu of flowers, please be generous with your time and philanthropy to support the community of Whidbey Island. Tend to it. Inspire it. Scatter, as Ric did, joy.
A community celebration of Dr. Ric Prael’s life and service will be hosted by Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) in Langley on Sunday, May 1. The dedication of a building at WICA named for Ric and a ribbon cutting will also commence. Details to follow in each of the Whidbey Island papers. You are cordially invited to attend.
