People we lost this year: Tri-City leaders, entertainers and business owners

The Tri-Cities community has mourned the loss of several longtime leaders, business owners and entertainers in recent months. From a beloved chocolatier to a retired judge known for his kindness, here are some of the notable residents who have died.

Click the link to read the full articles.

• Bob Larson, 92, was a retired Port of Benton commissioner who served 27 years and was credited with securing the USS Triton submarine sail as a north Richland landmark. Story by Wendy Culverwell.

• Kathryn Baumgarten, 87, founded Baum’s Candy in 1981, which grew into Baum’s House of Chocolate, a beloved premium chocolate shop that closed in 2024. Story by Wendy Culverwell.

• Vic VanderSchoor, 73, served more than 20 years as a Benton-Franklin Superior Court judge and was remembered for his kindness, fairness and beautiful singing voice. Story by Annette Cary.

• Mary Lou Gnoza, 84, entertained Tri-Cities audiences for 68 years as a singer of American standards, performing regularly at The Emerald of Siam in Richland. Story by Annette Cary.

• Bob Koch, 83, served 16 years as a Franklin County commissioner after careers as Connell’s fire chief and a business owner. He was known as a “gentle giant.” Story by Cory McCoy.

• Shirley Morrow, 93, served 14 years as Franklin County assessor after starting with the county in 1963 as a personal property appraiser. Story by Annette Cary.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by Cory McCoy. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.