Roslyn Cemetery Team Members:
Chair and Community Resource:
Richard Watts
Dick was elected Chair of the Roslyn Cemetery Commission in 2008. He immediately wrote a 10 year Master Capital Projects Plan for restoring Roslyn’s Historic Cemeteries, that was approved by the city. The city was unable to provide funding for the planned projects, so he developed a series of ethnic celebrations and a 501(c)3 designed to provide the resources required for completing all phases of restoration work. He developed a relationship with the staff at Central Washington University and encouraged and funded their participation in locating unmarked babies graves. This partnership over the past several years has provided valuable experience for CWU students, staff and community volunteers.
Dick worked with the families of those interred and local business to successfully fund all cemetery projects listed in the original Master Capital Projects Plan. His goal of returning a sense of pride of ownership to these hallowed grounds has been realized. Humanities Washington recognized Dick as in 2010 with their Humanities Washington Award celebrating achievement in the public humanities. Watts received the award for his work to restore, protect, and promote the importance of Roslyn’s historic cemeteries. In October 2023 at a ceremony celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the Croatian Memorial Monument in Roslyn’s National Croatian Cemetery, Dick was honored with a certificate of recognition in the name of the Croatian Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as the Consulate General in Los Angeles, in appreciation of his hard work and dedication in promoting Croatia, its rich heritage, history, and culture.
Genealogist and Historian:
Lynda Solter
Lynda assists with the genealogical and historical research behind the Roslyn Cemeteries. She discovered her love for genealogy while researching her family history as a hobby after retiring from the Boeing Company. Her vast knowledge, detailed research, and keen detective skills provide a significant amount of enriching and fascinating information for the interactive digital kiosk. Lynda also volunteers her time on projects with the Kittitas County Heritage Society. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, children, and doting on her grandchildren. Learn more about “Accidental Genealogist” here: https://rrchc.com/accidental-genealogist-lynda-solter/
Grant Director:
Lorrie Sivich
Dr. Lorrie Sivich has played an integral part in launching the interpretive digital kiosk project. Her strong leadership skills and background in emerging technologies have helped shape the foundation and development of the digital kiosk and online database. She works primarily with the Roslyn Cemetery’s grant partners, helping reach out and refine the grants that assist and preserve the Roslyn Cemeteries. In her spare time she enjoys collecting classic Star Trek memorabilia, reading about emerging aerospace technologies, volunteering with the Washington STEM fair, boating, and enjoying time with her family.
Lorrie is a Senior Aerospace Engineer at the Boeing Company and has been on the development teams for some of Boeing’s most recognizable planes and space station work.
Project Manager:
Emily Gass
Emily is working with the Roslyn Cemetery as a project manager to help with the progress of the Roslyn Cemetery Kiosk. Her role includes: the inputing of website and kiosk data, quality assurance management, troubleshooting software issues, working with project partners, and acting as a speaker and representative for upcoming community outreach events. She enjoys working alongside the other passionate members on the Cemetery Committee to help showcase the rich history of the Roslyn Cemetery.
Outside of volunteering, Emily works in software development as a QA Project Manager, helping plan, test, and manage mobile and IoT software projects for clients worldwide.
Marketing:
Beverly Prkacin Read
Beverly passionately shares her love of the Roslyn Cemetery with everyone she meets.
Roslyn Ronald Cle Elum Heritage Club President and Historian:
Maria Adams
Maria is the Roslyn Ronald Cle Elum President and assists the Roslyn Cemetery Team with organization, communication, and outreach. She also works on collecting photos, documents, and information for the interactive digital kiosk. Maria has always been interested in history and historic preservation. She also enjoys traveling, gardening, yoga, motorcycling, snowmobiling, boating, and spending time in the outdoors with friends and family.