Obituary of Frederick Henry Rule Jr.

Rick Rule (Frederick H. Rule Jr.), 72, of Washougal, WA, passed away at home on Aug. 15, 2022 of medical treatment complications. A memorial service will be held at Bethel Community Church, Washougal, WA on Oct. 15 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Rich Blum officiating. Rick was born in Wilmington, DE to Frederick H. Rule and Bertha (Lathrop) Rule on Feb. 4, 1950. He graduated from Brandywine High School in 1968 and attended classes at Delaware Technical Community College. He began his career in cabinetry and furniture design as a finish carpenter employed by a construction company in Delaware. Rick operated his own cabinet shops in Mendenhall and Chadds Ford, PA, where he was known for his ability to match woodwork in historic homes and build reproduction furniture. He met the love of his life, Pauline (Frerichs) Rule. When they married in 1977 in Wilmington, they asked the Lord to be a partner in their marriage. They lived for several years in Dallas, TX and Kansas City, MO. A son, Justin F. Rule, who now resides in Ohio, was born in 1982. Rick moved his young family to a small farm in Washougal, WA in 1991 to enjoy the beauty and benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest. He operated his business, F. H. Rule Woodwrights, Inc. there for twenty-five years. Rick’s talents for creative furniture design, exact construction techniques, and excellent lathe-turning were sought after for technically difficult projects. His beautiful woodworking projects remain in homes, businesses, museums, and churches across the country. He especially liked helping friends with their projects in his retirement years. Rick relished adventure and was the humor and spice of any gathering. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests,and brought others along with his enthusiasm. Rick was an accomplished acoustic guitarist and singer. He liked hiking and climbed Mt. Adams several times. Rick enjoyed kayaking and built two Okoume wood sea kayaks with hand-carved cedar Greenland paddles. His most recent interest was target shooting with match-quality air rifles. He built many home and gardening projects for Pauline’s enjoyment, enriching their life together. His volunteer work included Range Safety Officer duties at two sportsman’s clubs. He supported his 4-H sheep club by building feeders and panels. He spent many hours on the Columbia River Gorge trails with Wind River Search and Rescue and attained his low and high angle rescue certification. He was a ham radio operator, KD7EAV. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Pauline wishes to extend her gratitude to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for curing Rick of a previously incurable cancer; and to friends and family who helped us during our time of need.