Obituary: Rich Slegers

Rich attended Pine Grove School for six months before the family moved back to Country Club Road in Hood River and Rich was back attending Barrett School. Rich attended Mid Valley Junior High in Odell and in 1957, the Slegers family moved to Odell. Rich graduated High School from Wy'East High School in the class of 1958.

Two months after Rich graduated high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, Fort Ord., Calif. Rich was stationed outside west of Naperville, Ill., missile site. After an honorable discharge from the United States Army, Rich met and married Betty Lou Wood and together they had two children, Julie and David. Rich and Betty divorced in 1976.

In 1962 while Rich was living in Salem, Ore., he worked for Owens Illinois Glass Co.; seeing no future in making glass products, he quit in 1965 and went to Portland State for two and half years. In 1967, Rich began an apprenticeship with Pipe Fitters Local 290, which Rich just received his 55 year award of membership a week before his passing. Rich worked in leadership positions for N.W. Copper Natkin & Co., T.M.I. Temp. Control, Harder Mechanical and Trojan, his whole working career until retirement.

Rich and Priscilla reconnected and were married in 1990, bringing two families together, the Slegers and Methvin family. Rich and Priscilla moved back to the Hood River Valley on Labor Day of 2002 and purchased a home in Hood River, making their home a home for all their family and a show place they very much enjoyed.

Rich loved sports and participated in sporting activities all his life, playing or supporting family, reffing from the grandstands. Family gatherings and activities were very important to Rich. Rich was a member of the Gateway Elks, American Welding Society and also danced with the local Wy’ East Whirlers Square Dance Group. Rich enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Rich is predeceased by his parents, and is survived by his wife of 33 and a half years, Priscilla; daughter Julie (Joe); son David (Monica); stepsons Gary (Terrie) and Tony; stepdaughter Angie (Greg); brothers Steve (Tink) and Skip (Karen); sister Janet; grandchildren Jeryln, Jared, Josh, Dan, Dennis, Kameron, Sarah, Ivan, Savannah, Travis and baby Reagan; great-grandchildren Audrey, Josephine, Daxton, Kaylie, Donald, David, Colton, Brycen and Aiden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Wy’East Fire Department, Hood River Paramedics, and Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital for the excellent care they gave to Rich. Also the oncology department, Dr. Anderson and the oncology nurses. Rich is and will be dearly missed, “until we meet again my love,” from wife Priscilla.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Rich can do so to Wy’East Fire Department c/o Anderson’s Tribute Center. A funeral service and reception for Richard will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, with a graveside to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, Ore. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.