SEATTLE – Dick Spady, co-founder of Puget Sound's iconic Dick's Drive-In, has died at the age of 92.
His granddaughter and company spokeswoman, Jasmine Donovan, said Tuesday that Spady died of natural causes in Seattle on Sunday.
The first Dick's opened NE 45th Street in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood on January 28, 1954. Spady eventually bought out his two co-founders. Since its founding, Dick's has since grown to six locations with the most recent opening in Edmonds in 2011. All the locations still have long lines day and night.
As many other fast food joints over the years have constantly changed their menus, Dick's menu has remained basic: Four styles of hamburgers; one size of fries; three classic flavors for shakes – chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry; soda; root beer floats; and ice cream.
Spady was also recognized for paying his workers above minimum wage, providing health care coverage, and creating scholarship programs for employees.
KING 5 profiled Spady nearly two years ago on the 59th anniversary of the grand opening.
Seattle rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot gave a shout out to Dick's in his 1988 release "Posse on Broadway." Fellow rapper Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featured the Capitol Hill Dick's location in their video for "White Walls."
Born in Portland, Oregon, Spady served in the Navy in World War II. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1950 and was a commissary officer during the Korean War.
He is survived by his wife, five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
