Robert Loren Richardson

Robert Loren Richardson (aka Rocker, Rockin’ Robert, or Bob), age 78, passed away peacefully in his home on the Willamette River on June 10, 2020, after battling multiple myeloma. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Portland, Oregon on March 11, 1942, to David and Almeda Richardson, Robert was the oldest of five children. Robert graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1960. In 1961, at the age of 19, he married his sweetheart, Judith Jill Sies, on her 21st birthday. They were often seen sitting side-by-side in his pickup truck, water skiing together, spending countless hours with their two granddaughters, their pride and joy, and enjoying summers on the river with their friends & family.

Robert started working at a young age delivering newspapers, and by the age of 14, he was rototilling gardens and planting lawns. He was known later as “Bob the Digger,” working for his father, then establishing his own excavation business.

His first boat was one he built in his basement at age 14. He named it, “The Hustler.” They had to remove the staircase to lift it out. His love of the water led him to retire from excavation and take on Big Eddy Marina on the Columbia River in Fairview, Oregon. With the help of friends, often bribed with a case of beer, he had numerous “work parties” and turned the marina around from a run-down moorage to a booming business. He added a new gas dock and small store, bought an ice machine and most importantly, he added his personality. He met everyone with a huge smile, unless of course, they were behind on their rent.

At age 37, he sold his excavation equipment, and although he says he retired that year, he never slowed down. In 1980, he left Big Eddy and went on to other investment opportunities; rental properties and mobile home parks. He was instrumental in inspiring friends and family to invest in this industry. Later, seeing opportunity again, he purchased a number of boat slips at Waverly Marina, managing his moorage business from his last boat, a 53’ Navigator yacht named “Rocker.”

At age 42, he taught himself to play the piano by ear. His inspiration was Jerry Lee Lewis. Bob formed a 50’s and 60’s Rock n’ Roll band named “Rockin’ Robert and the Backbeats,” who became like family. They played many regular gigs and had the honor of playing his daughter’s wedding reception over 30 years ago. Band practice in his basement was a weekly highlight for years. The last gig he played was his birthday party, just 3 months before his passing. He played for over 4 hours and the house and dance floor were packed.

Robert lived life large, filled with a loving family, wonderful friends, great music, boats, collector cars, and real estate… “always buy the dirt.” With great personality and charm, he was never short on friends. Rocker left us with stories to fill a lifetime, song quotes that will forever make us laugh, and a legacy that will carry through generations.

He often said, “I hope somebody’s writing this down. Let’s get our story straight, boys, before we get back to town.”

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, David and Almeda Richardson, and his sister, Carol Watkins. He is survived by his wife, Judith Richardson; daughter, Melinda Hill; son-in-law, Corey Hill; granddaughters, Megan and Lauren Hill; siblings, Marvin, Karen (Greg Gore) and Julie Richardson; nephew, Daniel Watkins and niece, Diana Watkins.