Richard Rush Lakin Jr.

Richard Rush Lakin Jr. December 18th, 1940 – March 24th, 2024 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Rush Lakin Jr., who peacefully departed this life at the age of 83 on March 24th, 2024. Richard, fondly known as "Dick," was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, the youngest of three siblings. He is preceded by his father, Richard Lakin Sr., his mother, Mildred (Cluster, Rickman) Lakin, his sister, Lola (Rickman) Yeager, and brother, Elwood Rickman. Dick cherished memories of his childhood spent playing with neighborhood kids on Lincoln Street and caring for his beloved pet cats and goat. Despite facing orphanhood in his adolescence, Dick showed remarkable resilience from a young age. As a teenager, Dick thrived in home economics classes, where he learned sewing, homesteading, woodworking, and cooking. He graduated from South Eugene High School in 1959 before taking a gap year working at a sawmill to earn money for college admission. Dick pursued his education at George Fox University, where he enjoyed classes in Zoology and was an active member of the football team. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Lynne, whom he married in 1964. They lived near campus while Dick completed his studies, becoming the first student to graduate from George Fox University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Dick was drafted into the US Army in 1967. As a conscientious objector, he served as an army combat medic in Mainz, Germany and spent a year in Lai Khe, Vietnam, some of which was while Lynne was expecting their first child, Patricia. After returning to the US, Dick and Lynne welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth, while stationed in San Antonio. Dick achieved the rank of captain during his military service and completed his service in 1970. Throughout his career, Dick demonstrated a passion for service and community. He worked in mental health and social services for most of his career. In his final position while working for Lane County as a deputy sheriff, he received recognition for his efforts to address the mental health of inmates. He initiated a program to teach Spanish to jail staff, enhancing cultural humility when interacting with non-English-speaking inmates. Dick maintained a busy schedule working nights at the jail while engaging in outreach efforts through the church, including the Get Away Give Away program, local outreach committee efforts, and numerous international missions trips through the Yearly Meeting. Among his proudest efforts was his role as a sponsor for Laotian refugees, fostering community as they settled in the United States with their families. Outside of his community endeavors, Dick found joy in raising chickens and cherishing his role as a grandparent. He devoted himself to supporting his grandchildren in various activities, volunteering as an administrative assistant for their sports teams, teaching children to read, and even offering Spanish lessons in the classroom. His involvement in church, the school district, and the broader community enriched his life and the lives of those around him. Dick is survived by his wife Lynne, daughters Patricia and Elizabeth, granddaughters Lexi, Cassandra, Aeryn, and Alexandra, and grandsons Zachariah, and Spencer. A memorial service to honor Dick's life will be held on May 4th at 2 at Eugene Friends Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Get Away Give Away Program in his memory https://www.eugenefriendschurch.org/about-3 Photos: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0RG4TcsmGVOxhA

Richard Rush Lakin Jr.

December 18, 1940 - March 24, 2024