The Malli-Stricherz family mourns the passing of beloved husband and father Guy Robert Stricherz, a longtime resident of Vashon Island, WA. He passed away peacefully, in his sleep, of natural causes on March 29th. Guy loved his wife, Irene Malli, and children Matilda and Guy above all, but he was also an artist and business owner who loved animals and the woods.

Guy was born in Auburn, WA, on December 18th, 1948, to parents Ed and Viney Stricherz, who lived in Enumclaw at the time. He was the fourth of five brothers. The family relocated to Parkland when he was a boy, where he enjoyed the carefree, playful childhood of the 1950s. Upon graduating from Franklin Pierce High School, class of ‘67, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves as a medic and served his obligation, often caring for returning soldiers. He worked for The Boeing Company before relocating to San Diego, then Snohomish County, and eventually Bellingham.

Guy graduated cum laude from Western Washington University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in a self-designed interdisciplinary visual media major. It was during this time that he discovered and embraced Dye Transfer, a now discontinued analog printing process that makes use of complex and precise color separation to produce highly vivid photographic prints. His first such prints were from images he had taken documenting the streets of Tacoma and Bellingham.

Knowing it was time to move on to bigger things, he left Bellingham as a hitchhiker, holding a sign that simply read “New York City.” He often spoke of the fleabag hotels where he made his residence, before upgrading to a 270-square-foot shoebox apartment in Little Italy. He also fondly recalled his work at the Printing Trade School, where he taught both native New Yorkers and immigrants from all over the world. It was there that he worked to save up money to start his own Dye Transfer printing business, CVI lab. A couple of close friends worked with him in the early years to get the business up and running.

In 1989, while looking to hire a studio assistant, Guy met Irene Malli. She soon became the love of his life and his business partner. They were married at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York on November 4th, 1989, and spent 35 beautiful years living and working together. He always said his 2002 book, Americans in Kodachrome, could never have been completed without her persistent help. When Kodak discontinued the Dye Transfer materials in 1992, the pair bought up all the materials they would need until retirement, and simply continued working.

Guy and his family relocated to Vashon in 2004. He and Irene built a home here, deep in the middle of the forest. He loved giving names to different areas near his home, building structures on the property, and spending his Sunday afternoons soaking in the forest. He also found a home in the St. John Vianney Catholic Church. He spent many years lectoring and his faith and faith community were a great comfort to him in the darkest of times.

Guy was a man of many talents. He would spend one day woodburning decorative signs, the next mowing the entire lawn, and then go to work on his moss garden. He was a loving husband, a dependable father, and a kind friend. He always kept his bird feeder full, and even allowed the fat gray squirrels to share in the bounty. He insisted that he had a special way of petting the dog that was especially enjoyable. He knew people from all walks of life and was good to all of them.

Guy was preceded in death by his parents, Alvina “Viney” (Untereiner) Stricherz and Edward “Ed” Stricherz, as well as his brother Timothy “Tim” Stricherz. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Irene Malli, his children, Matilda R. M. Stricherz and Guy E. M. Stricherz, his

brothers, Stan Stricherz (Sheila), Jay Stricherz (Wendy), and Mark Stricherz (Jolyn), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by his much-loved dog, Snuffles.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 26th, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Vashon Island. Preceding the funeral, there will be a viewing at 10 am and we will pray the Rosary at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the charity of your choice.