Richard Lee Tracy

Richard was born April 20, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a young boy, he moved with the family to the Vanport area of Portland in 1942, his father having followed work to Oregon. They lived on Rockwood Road (now Stark Street). After high school, Richard attended Oregon State University for two years before completing his education with a Philosophy degree at Portland State University. This followed his honorable service in the US Army. He had been drafted in 1962, completed his basic training at Ft. Ord in Monterey, California, and intelligence training at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland, and served in the 108th Military Intelligence Group at Boston Army Base.

In September of 1966, Richard married Sandra Crook in West Newton, Massachusetts.

Mr. Tracy’s first position in law enforcement was in undercover work with the Pinkerton Agency in Boston. In July 1968, he and Sandra moved to Portland, where he worked in the Multnomah County Corrections Department, eventually working in all of the county jails and prisons. He was a pioneer of “close street supervision,” similar to home detention, in which each inmate has a one-on-one relationship with a corrections officer, and was very proud of the work he did in that program. In June 1994, he retired due to health concerns.

Richard was also passionate about his membership in Kiwanis, having been a Past President, Past Lieutenant Governor, and recipient of the Hixson Award for his work with the organization. He served his community with Kiwanis from 1960 until his passing. He loved the opera, reading, and working on his beach house in Yachats, Oregon.

Mr. Tracy was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Tracy in 2014.

He will be remembered by two sisters, Ann Tracy and Janet Tracy, a nephew, Alexander Reynolds, and by former spouse Sandra Crook.

A private family entombment will take place. A full memorial service, including military honors, will be held once COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, and this space will be updated with that information.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in his name to Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, 10725 SW Barbur Blvd. Suite 50, Portland, OR 97219.