Richard Hedrick White

Richard Hedrick White was born on August 1, 1934 to John Henry White and Emma Louise Hedrick. His family operated a cotton farm in Lanett, Alabama, where Richard grew up, graduating from Five Points High School. He had two sisters, Elaine Sharp, who continues to live in Alabama and Pamela Jane, who passed away as a child.

When he was 18, Richard joined the Navy, where he did several tours. He took great pride in the fact that he was aboard the USS Bremerton in Korea at the time the Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the war. After finishing that tour, Dick came back to the US, where he served on the USS Hancock, going overseas from Alameda, California.

During Thanksgiving 1957, Richard joined one of his Navy buddies on a trip down to Portland for the holiday. It was here that he met Rosemary Brandenburg, who would later become his beloved wife. She was at the same Thanksgiving dinner and after enjoying each other’s company, the two started to talk and Dick would make a point to visit Rosemary when he would dock in Tacoma. Rosemary’s family loved Dick, eventually encouraging the couple to marry. When Rosemary’s uncle was in town, he asked that Dick and Rosemary get married on his birthday a week later. They took his challenge, planned their wedding in a week and were married by Ruth B. Miles, Justice of the Peace in Stevenson, Washington on July 11, 1958. The two were happily married for 58 years.

After the wedding, Dick still had his tour to finish out so he and Rosemary spent as much time as they could together, but were not yet able to live together. Richard was very romantic and he made the most out of their time together by constantly wooing Rosemary, but eventually he became tired of always being gone so finally he came home from one of his cruises and was honorably discharged from the Navy so he could now start his life with Rosemary in Portland.

When arriving to Portland, Richard knew it was time to find work. He immediately called up his friend who set him up with an apprenticeship for an engraving company; Fine Arts Graphics. This was a complicated job with lots of skill required but Dick persevered and became a master engraver.

Dick picked up many hobbies over the years, including bowling and golf. He was very dedicated, and eventually even had a golf tournament named after him: The Dick White Classic. He was part of a community of golfers who would all travel together for the sport. In the summer, they would all go over to Sunriver and in the winter they went to Death Valley, California.

Richard was always someone people liked. He was dependable, honest, generous and good to people. When someone at work was going through a tough time, he would be quick to start a collection to help out.

In 2013, Dick started suffering from a series of small strokes. Eventually, he had a bigger stroke that would change his life. He was never quite the same after that bigger stroke and found his health declining. Dick passed away on June 23, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his sister, Elaine Parker and several other family members including Mary Belle, Bandy, and Stella Ennis and Selina. His life will be thought of with respect and admiration and he will be missed by many.

Donations may be made to Providence Hospice, Attn: Dana Snow. 6410 NE Halsey St, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213. Tel: 503-215-4830