He was an orthodontist, not an artist. Yet, Dr. Richard Wendt’s name has long been associated with Snohomish County’s thriving arts scene.

In 1991, the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence was created to recognize extraordinary contributions to the arts in Everett.

Given annually by the Everett Cultural Commission, its recipients include the late dance legend Mike Jordan, Everett artist Susan Jane Russell, philanthropists John and Idamae Schack, arts advocate Peter Newland, and the Arts Council of Snohomish County.

“He was a true art advocate, extremely generous and deeply committed to making this community more culturally significant,” said Wendy Becker, Snohomish County Economic and Cultural Development Officer.

Dr. Richard A. Wendt died Aug. 2 after a recent diagnosis of cancer. He was 67.

An Everett native, he is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters Lisa Marie Wallach of Phoenix; Anne Nicole Yeckley of Arlington; and Lauren Elizabeth Wendt of Everett; and grandchildren Cadin, Tristan and Ava Yeckley. He is also survived by his brother, Bob.

Born to Louis and Lucy Wendt on Feb. 22, 1940, he graduated from Everett High School in 1958 and from Washington State University in 1962. At the University of Washington Dental School, he specialized in orthodontics.

After earning his degree in dentistry in 1966, he was a dentist in the U.S. Navy, and served with the Third Marine Division in Vietnam and later at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif.

It was in California that he met Nancy Vitalich, who became his wife of 39 years.

At Wendt’s memorial service Aug. 8 at Everett First Baptist Church, his daughter Anne Yeckley spoke of their whirlwind courtship. “Mom and Dad met in 1969. Mom went to a party by the beach in San Diego. Dad was the first guy she met,” Yeckley said. “They went out every day for 11 days, and on the 11th day he asked her to marry him.”

Back in his hometown, Wendt had an orthodontics practice from 1971 until 2004.

The Rev. Brian Harpell spoke of Wendt’s many “circles of influence,” from the military and the arts to the patients he helped. “Many in this community owe their braces to Dr. Dick,” Harpell said.

“His life was woven into this community, and his influence was huge,” Harpell said. “He brought an incredibly creative, artistic spirit to this world.”

Active in civic life, he was a member and chairman of the Everett Planning Commission, and was involved in the Port of Everett North Marina Study.

Becker said she worked closely with Wendt coordinating the award that carries his name and on other projects.

One of them was the purchase of Everett’s first downtown sculpture, “Balancing Big,” created by Joseph Kinnebrew. It’s the red block piece outside the Arts Council of Snohomish County at Everett’s Wall Street and Hoyt Avenue.

“He called me one day and said, ‘If I raise half the purchase price, will the city match the funds?’ But Dick raised almost the entire amount,” Becker said.

Dr. Jack Courrier, an Everett dentist, and his wife, Marilyn, have been longtime friends of the Wendts. Their families would go boating together to Desolation Sound off the coast of British Columbia.

“Those memories are so cherished,” Marilyn Courrier said. “All the fishing and swimming, all the kids, we had such close family ties. Our children were friends and still are.

“If someone first met him, they might not see he had a sense of humor. It was very dry. He was extremely funny, and it would come out when least expected,” she said.

Her friend, she said, was “always arty.”

“Dick was interested in piano, reading books, and he loved plants and flowers. He had this knack,” she said.

His devotion to gardening helped the Wendts earn a City of Everett Monte Cristo Award and an Order of Merit from the Everett Arboretum Society.

“He lived his dreams,” said Cheryle Earnheart, who along with her husband, Terry, was recognized with the Richard Wendt Award in 2004. “He had strong opinions, and wasn’t afraid to share them, and a wry sense of humor.

“I don’t know if he created art as much as he sincerely appreciated it. He felt it nurtures our lives,” she said.

“He encouraged others to do what they love, and encouraged people to support that financially and with their time.”

Everett artist Susan Jane Russell was also a recipient of the Wendt award. She didn’t get to know Wendt, who served before she did on the Everett Cultural Commission.

“I appreciated receiving it, it meant a lot,” said Russell, who explained that the recipient gets a piece of artwork, which supports other artists.

“He’s one-of-a-kind,” Russell said of Wendt. “When someone like that comes along, it raises the bar for all of us. His presence was an example for all of us.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.