Richard Donald MacDonald

Richard was born in Spokane, Washington, on June 25, 1927, to James and Margaret MacDonald. He grew up during the depression, mostly in small towns and logging camps as his father was a timber cruiser. He attended Benson Tech High School in Portland, where he learned many of the skills that he would use throughout his life.

He joined the Coast Guard at the age of 17, after his father’s death and getting his GED. He worked in the engine room of a troop ship toward the end of World War II. He loved the outdoors, particularly water, almost always owning a boat of some kind. He built a 29’ sailboat in his backyard. He also built wood drift boats and later the first welded aluminum drift boats. Besides sailing, he loved to fish, hike, cross country ski, hunt, camp, garden and wood working. He obtained his pilot’s license and airplane mechanic’s certification and worked for Boeing for a time. He was skilled at making or fixing almost anything. He later traveled fixing hay bailers for Freeman Bailers before working at American Can Company in Salem, Oregon, where he worked for 30 years as a machinist and tool and die maker.

He retired from there and moved to Port Hadlock, Washington, where he lived with his wife Etta on their waterfront property for over 30 years. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Etta (Payne), sisters Melissa (Mickey) Moilanen and Mabel (Patricia) Bascue. He is survived by his children, Candace Murray (by first wife Roberta, passed), Scott MacDonald, Lauri Blumenstein, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Richard was the guy who ‘to know him is to love him’. He was a humble man and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

There will be a military honor guard service at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on Friday, April 5, 1:00pm with a gathering to remember Richard and share some finger foods following, in a nearby restaurant to be determined. Check in at the cemetery office for the actual location of the ceremony.