Salem ~ Richard Lee Wenger was born May 28, 1930 in Pandora, Ohio to Wilbert and Mary Wenger. He moved to Oregon in 1936 with his family where he graduated from Salem Academy in 1948. After serving in the Korean War he worked for the Oregon State Penitentiary and at Oregon Correctional Institution. He retired from the South Fork Prison Camp in 1992.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean; sons, Robert of Salem; Joseph (Sandy) of Keizer; James (Cheryl) of Salem; Tom of Gates; and Bill of Keizer; daughters, Bev (Terry) Melton of Salem; Barbara (Robin) Sughrue of Ocean Shores WA; and Kathy (Mickey) Gust of Keizer. He is also survived by his brother, Chuck of Salem; 18 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Jon, 5 sisters, and 2 brothers.
Politics were one of his favorite subjects and could talk for hours about it. He loved to watch sports of any kind and loved to play the ponies. He took pride in knowing the history of World War II. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest love.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 29, 1-4 pm at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1998 Lansing Avenue NE, Salem. Burial will be at City View Cemetery. To send online condolences, visit www.hed-fh.com.
