This is the obituary Richard wrote for himself (death date added):
Richard Ernest Volkmann, 80, died February 1, 2023, in Ketchikan. He was born February 28, 1942 in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in Chicago.

After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany and Japan, he lived in New York City, San Francisco, Kyoto, Tokyo, India, Seattle, Thailand, and Anchorage before settling in Ketchikan in 1998. 

Volkmann received a B.A., magna cum laude, in Asian Studies from the City College of New York and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He then completed one year of graduate school at the University of Washington. He became a Buddhist after Zen training in Japan in 1965, later living for several years with Tibetan Buddhist communities in northern India and in Seattle.

He worked in book and magazine publishing, in the post office, and in other clerical positions, as well as serving in the Merchant Marine and Alaska Marine Highway System. He spent his time in Ketchikan doing reading, study, prayer and meditation, with a special interest in community forestry, non-timber forest products, non-traditional medical systems, and nutrition. He also enjoyed mountain climbing and hiking.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Ernest, and mother, Mary. He is survived by his sister, Judy, brother Michael, and his sister Barbara; his daughter, Maia Shanti, and son, Ananda Dorje, both of Seattle. 

At his request, no services will be held.

RICHARD ERNEST VOLKMANN

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