Co-founder of Seattle Burger Chain Dick’s Drive-In Dies

SEATTLE (AP) — Dick Spady, the co-founder of Dick's Drive-In whose string of classic burger joints have become a ritual for many in the Seattle area, has died. He was 92.

His granddaughter and company spokeswoman, Jasmine Donovan, said Tuesday that Spady died of natural causes in Seattle on Sunday.

Spady and two partners opened the first of six restaurants in 1954 in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. They had a simple business goal "to serve fresh, high quality food at low prices with instant service." They opened four more restaurants in Seattle, and Spady bought out his business partners in 1991. A sixth restaurant opened in Edmonds in 2011.

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.