Rick Pummel Leaves WWPS for France Mental Health Retreat

From Technology to Trails: Rick Pummel Begins a New Chapter of Service in France October 6, 2026 After 25 years helping Walla Walla Public Schools stay connected through technology, Assistant Director of Technology and Information Services Rick Pummel is preparing to embark on a very different kind of journey, one rooted in service, the outdoors and helping others. Pummel will leave WWPS later this month and relocate to eastern France with his wife, Estee, where the couple is developing a mental health retreat business that will combine clinical therapy with outdoor experiences. For Pummel, the venture brings together passions and experiences that have shaped his life for more than five decades. His love of the outdoors began as a young person through Pathfinders, a youth outdoor-centered program similar to scouting. More than 50 years later, that passion remains an important part of his life. Pummel continues to serve as a regional Pathfinders event coordinator and has developed extensive experience in mountain biking, skiing and caving. He is a certified mountain bike instructor and certified ski instructor and has been involved in caving throughout the region for more than two decades, organizing events and sharing his knowledge with others. “I've always enjoyed introducing people to new experiences and helping people reach their goals,” said Pummel, who has spent the past 25 years serving in the district’s Technology and Information Services department. That same desire to connect with and serve others has extended beyond the outdoors. Music has provided another creative outlet throughout his life, and Pummel has performed with numerous groups, primarily as a vocalist. He currently sings and plays synthesizer in a gospel band. Now, those varied experiences will come together in a new setting. The retreat business Pummel and Estee are developing will focus on supporting people experiencing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and trauma stemming from childhood or adult experiences. Estee, a mental health therapist, will provide the clinical expertise, while Rick will oversee outdoor activities, operations and the business side of the venture. Their vision is to create a rural retreat environment where guests can step away from their everyday surroundings and have convenient access to nature and outdoor activities as part of their treatment experience. Some retreats are expected to last approximately 10 days and will be designed for couples or entire families. The business also hopes to eventually offer longer, 10-week stays for individuals working through trauma. The couple plans to begin by using an existing third-party facility, with a long-term goal of establishing their own retreat property. The move to France also has deep family ties. Estee is a dual French-American citizen, and her family is from the Vosges region. The couple will initially live in the home where Estee’s father was raised as they establish their new life and business. Rick and Estee met while attending Walla Walla College and have been married since 1991. They have two adult sons, ages 34 and 33, and two granddaughters. Pummel knows the transition will come with its share of challenges, including becoming more fluent in French. He plans to devote additional time to studying the language after arriving in France in mid-October. Despite the distance and the dramatic change in scenery, Pummel sees a strong connection between his new venture and his years at WWPS. “I’m a service-oriented person by nature,” he said. “I really enjoyed working in the school district as part of a team. I’ve had great co-workers and a great team, and I’m going to miss them.” After a quarter-century of helping WWPS connect people through technology, Pummel is ready for a new kind of connection, helping people step away from the demands of everyday life, reconnect with themselves and discover what is possible through relationships, nature and new experiences.
Source: https://www.wwps.org/news/~board/district-news/post/from-technology-to-trails-rick-pummel-begins-a-new-chapter-of-service-in-france