Richard Dale Welsh

Richard Dale Welsh was born on August 14, 1926, in Sheyenne, North Dakota. He died December 22, 2023, at the age of 97 of natural causes. He was the youngest of nine children born to William and Sara Welsh. Shortly after graduating from New Rockford High School, he enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served in the Asiatic Pacific on the USS Dempsey and the USS Yorktown. He married Jean Ringwald in August 1953 in Salem. Dick's job as a meat cutter took them to Albany, Oregon, where he began work and they started their family. In 1967, a transfer required that they moved back to Salem, which they were very happy to do since they both had family there.

In the early 90s, Dick and Jean purchased a second home in the Lincoln City area. They spent a lot of time among the many friends they made there and really enjoyed walking along the beach finding agates to polish and driftwood to turn into works of art.

Dick excelled at gardening. His thumb was so green he could put a yardstick in a pot of soil and it would grow and thrive. After he retired, he also spent much of his time woodworking. He loved making anything out of wood, especially detailed replicas of tractors, ships, logging trucks, and farm equipment, and he made sure his yards both in Salem and at the coast were well populated with stylish birdhouses that were never lacking for tenants each year.

A devout Catholic and fiercely independent, Dick spent is final years at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, in both independent and assisted living. We extend a special thanks to the assisted living staff for their exceptional care this past year.

Dick is survived by his three children, Kim Welsh of Eugene, Megan Goetz of Tigard, and Tim Welsh of Lake Oswego, along with three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His wife Jean and son Kevin preceded him in death.

A rosary and Mass will be held at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Keizer, Oregon, on Thursday, January 11, at 10:00am. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Virgil T. Golden in Salem.