Richard J. Wood

Obituary

Richard J. Wood died Friday, July 22, 2022, at his home near Elgin at the age of 88.

A service will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center, 260 N 10th Street, Elgin.

Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center of LaGrande.

Dick was born on Feb. 27, 1934, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Howard James Wood and Elva Fischer. He was partially raised by a stepfather who meant a great deal to him, Edward Desire DeGabin.  Dick left home and began supporting himself at the age of 12, mostly working on ranches and farms in Nebraska and Colorado before working for the railroad. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served nine years, the last being at San Diego where he managed the kitchen before his honorable discharge in 1956. He lived in Portland, owned and operated a mobile home moving business in Seattle and owned an orchard in Hood River.

On Nov. 20, 1976, Dick married Karen Streich while living in Fort Collins, Colorado. They lived in Laramie and Broomfield before settling in Karen’s home of Elgin, where they remained.  Dick belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and enjoyed mechanics, woodworking, camping, fourwheeling in their Jeep and his miniature donkeys and miniature Schnauzers.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 45 years, Karen of Elgin; son, Randy and his wife, Karen, of Boardman; grandchildren, Beth Anderson of Arizona and Bob Wood of The Dalles; six great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Lou Fleming of Garland, Texas.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Howard Wood; sisters, Ruth Kilbey and Shirley Rathbun; and stepfather, Edward Desire DeGabin.

Contributions in memory of Richard J. Wood may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Doctors Without Borders.