A COMMUNITY GATHERING IN HONOR OF RIC PRAEL
AND THE DEDICATION OF THE RIC PRAEL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES.

A community gathering to honor the life of Dr. Ric Prael, Langley dentist and beloved community supporter, theatre enthusiast, and former WICA board member.

The open house events will include tours of the new and recently completed areas of the facility; the unveiling of a Georgia Gerber sculpture commissioned by the Prael family; and nibbles including some of Ric’s favorite foods, Root Beer Floats and Frito Pies.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Ric Prael Administrative Offices begin shortly after 2.00pm, featuring Jim Freeman as emcee, Langley Mayor Paul Samuelson as guest speaker, and dedication by Pam and Paul Schell with Ric’s grandson, Traynor Prael, cutting the ribbon. Dr. Prael, who died in January 2011, collected memorabilia from community theatre productions since the 1970s, many of which he was a cast member. The collection will be on display in the new admin center.

The Ric Prael Administrative Offices completes the second phase of the Stage Two Capital Campaign. To date, the Campaign has raised over $2.4M of the $2.6M goal and is actively fund-raising the remaining $200,000 to wrap up Phase Two and qualify for a matching grant from MJ Murdock Foundation.

THE AFTERNOON.

2.00pm

Social time
Frito Pies and Root Beer Floats (Ric's favorite!)
Tours of Stage Two

2.30pm

Welcome
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication
Tours of the Ric Prael Administrative Offices
Tours of Stage Two continue

The third (final) phase, which includes a stunning, corner Ticket Office and the completion of the Sculpture Garden in front of Zech Hall, will begin once funds are raised.









ABOUT RIC PRAEL.

"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 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island; 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 Saturday edition of the South Whidbey Record on Jan. 15, 2011.

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 Capt. 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."

-- South Whidbey Record, JAN 2011


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