Richard Alvin Proksch

1947 - 2013

Richard Alvin Proksch obituary, 1947-2013

BORN

1947

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom

1350 Commercial Street SE

Salem, Oregon

Richard Proksch Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 30, 2013.

July 26, 1947 ~ July 27, 2013

Richard Proksch of Salem, Oregon collapsed and died while hiking with his son and grandsons at Silver Falls Park on July 27th, one day after his 66th birthday.

Dick was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, to parents Alvin and Joyce Proksch. He graduated from Onalaska High School in Onalaska, Wisc., then served in the US Air Force. He was a Weatherman stationed in Japan during the Vietnam War. After returning from Japan, he chose a college where he could ski. While attending Idaho State University, he met and later married his wife Debra. He graduated from Idaho State University School of Pharmacy, and then completed a Masters Residency program in Pharmacy Administration at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore.

He was an Assistant Director of Pharmacy at U of Md. hospital prior to moving to Salem, Oregon in 1984 where he was the Director of Pharmacy at Salem Hospital until his retirement in January 2012. After his retirement, he set goals to exercise, travel, and spend time with family and friends. He was delighted to keep his grandsons company before and after school, was a volunteer mentor at Wright Elementary for Isaac's math club, chaperoned both grandsons' school field trips, and has been a little league baseball umpire for Sprague Little League for the past two years. Dick was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and was proud to be a share owner.

Dick spent his last months living his dream. He was loved by and will be sorely missed by his family, as well as his many coworkers, friends and neighbors.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his wife Debra, daughter Jennifer Bare (Salem), son Jonathan (Hillsboro, Or), two terrific grandsons, Isaac and Joshua Bare, brother Arlyn (Mary) Thornton, Co; sister Debbie (Paul) Kaiser West Salem, WI; mother-in-law LaVerne Olson, Filer, ID; brother-in-law Ronald Olson (Alice) Grand Forks, ND; Harold (Heidi) Gooding, ID; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 1 from 6-9pm at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 2 at 2pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ with a viewing one hour before services. To leave audio or online condolences please visit www.HED-FH.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

September 10, 2013

Paul Jeffrey

Deb,
I just saw notice of Dick's passing. My prayers go out to you and your family. Dick holds a warm spot in my heart. When we worked together at the University of Maryland, the pharmacy department went through a rough transition, and Dick was a rock. He was so unflappable! He and I spent about 5 days together touring around central Europe after we had the opportunity to go to Germany as part of a continuing pharmacy education team for the US Army near Heidelberg. We had a lot of laughs, learned a thing or two, and became good friends. It was my first trip abroad, and, in his usual manner, he exuded calm control and a "steady-as-she-goes" approach to the few challenges we faced. I haven't seen or spoken with him much lately, but I will miss him. God bless you. Peace.
Paul

August 22, 2013

Rosa Pelinski

Jennifer, I am sorry to hear about your loss, I am sorry to send my condolences so late, my husband was in the hospital, please know that I was praying for you and your boys, may you find peace and confort in the Lord.

August 21, 2013

Debi,
I'm so sorry to hear about Dick's passing; you and he were a great couple. I was thinking about him last month when we went to see Frankie Valli, (a real oldy), but I knew the words. Back in the day he & I went to the Inner Harbor to see the PLATTERS, & he knew all the words! Such an enjoyable time. I hope you and your family find peace & comfort in the near future. My heartfelt condolences,
Cleve Yee

August 13, 2013

Debi Naccarto

Deb, I am so sad to hear the news about Dick. We were all residents together at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore and I can still see him in his "whites". He was a good mentor for Steve Allen and myself. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

August 13, 2013

Valorie Freeman

Like others, I worked with Dick at Salem Hospital. Among my memories is his precariously piled high desk, in which he could amazingly find whatever I was referencing, and a meeting in the administrative conference room with his "cheese head" on! He was a generous spirit. I am glad to have experienced his smile in retirement recently.

August 13, 2013

Steve Allen

Deb,so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I am thinking and praying for you and your family at this time. Dick was a Senior Resident in the pharmacy at U. MD Hospital and was exremely helpful to me and Deb Naccarto. His caring ways, his dedication to the profession and his sense of humor were always evident and I was fortunate to have Dick as a friend and colleague. May you find comfort in the memories of a great life together.

August 3, 2013

Ben and Bev

Deb, that was a nice service I wish it did not need to be. We saw Dick and Jen and boys at Volcanos game and had a nice visit. One of Ben's trips to hospital, Dick came to visit him. He was a wonderful man and together you are a wonderful family.
Ben and Bev

August 2, 2013

I, like so many, worked with Dick at Salem Hospital and remember his smile and kindness. My deepest sympathy. You will be in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Beth Nevue

August 2, 2013

Deb that was a beautiful collection of photographs. Thinking of you and your family with deepest sympathy. Sincerely Ann Warren-Bocci

August 2, 2013

Kathy Teeter

I worked with Dick at Salem Hospital, always so friendly and happy. I learned about the "deep fried" cheese curds from Dick, had to try them on my first trip to Wisconsin. Dick was great fun to travel with. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

August 1, 2013

Debi,

Our deepest sympathy for the loss of Dick. He will be missed by all. He was a wonderful person.
Sincerely,
Roger & Thelma Nelson

August 1, 2013

Barb Donovan

Jennifer and family...
I know your dad through working at Salem Hospital. He was very special, always available with a happy hello every morning I saw him. You carry his quality as I see you on Sundays with your boys, always sharing a special smile and hello as you walk by or visit me at Salem Vineyard Cafe. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

August 1, 2013

Steve Olson

Though words cannot touch the pain of losing him, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel the love and embrace from those around you who's hearts break as well.

July 31, 2013

Betty Pyle

Deb and family- I worked with Dick at Salem Hospital for 5 years. We shared many stories of our families and our shared travel plans for retirement.
I am so glad he was able to enjoy his travels and his family.
May God bless you . Remember the wonderful memories and pull them out when are feeling lost.

July 31, 2013

Mary Reynolds-Levee

During our years in high school, Richard was always fun to be around, whether we were in band or just being teens. Richard was the kind of person always remembered over the years with fondness by those who knew him...he had the natural propensity for making people feel they were special.

July 31, 2013

Deb and family -- Even tho we can't be there with you, we want you to know that Joe and I are thinking about all of you, Take Care and know that we Love you Uncle Joe and Aunt Verna

July 31, 2013

Pam Gentzsch

Dick and I worked together at Salem Hospital. During that time, he oftened spoke of his daughter returning home with his grandsons. He would beem with pride when talking about their Saturday morning routines. He was so proud of his daughter completing her education and so very happy he was able to have her and her children living with him. We talked a lot on our many trips to Wisconsin and his beloved ( but yucky) cheese curds!
He was a good friend to me at the hospital and I am glad he had some time living his retirement dream. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his loving family.

July 31, 2013

John and Janet Wilk

Dick was one of my best friends all thru High School, always there when needed. He was in our wedding in "71". Lots of good times and good stories thru High School and College. Will miss Dick (Greatly). Our heart felt sympathy to Dicks Family.

July 31, 2013

Dick Johnson

Dick and I were in the Class of 1965 at Onalaska (WI) High School - we were looking forward to our 50th Reunion in two years. Dick and his family have welcomed me to their home numerous times, during my travels, both in Salem and their former home in Baltimore. I was so looking forward to another visit with him in Salem scheduled for September of this year. He was a great friend, then and now. He was devoted to his Family and loved to spend time with his Grandsons - Dick was the best roll model those boys could have. He so looked forward to his retirement and traveling with Deb and doing things with his Family - he was helping his daughter fix up her new house. While Dick was stationed in Duluth, MN, during his stint in the Air Force, John Wilk (another classmate) and I visited him there and had a grand time - the stories we could tell - Dick had a fun side to him as well. My deepest sympathy to Deb and his Family. He will be missed by many. Dick was the best.

July 31, 2013

Tom Johnson

All through high school I walked with Richard down Wilson Street to Onalaska High, In the summer of '66 Richard and I took a two week jaunt through Europe and London (some humorous stories there) ... he will be sorely missed. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and friends. He was a great guy ... one of my best friends way back when.

July 30, 2013

Staff of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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Memorial Events
for Richard Proksch

Aug

1

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom

1350 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR 97302-4205

Aug

2

Viewing

1:00 p.m.

First Congregational United Church of Christ

OR

Aug

2

Funeral service

2:00 p.m.

First Congregational United Church of Christ

OR

Funeral services provided by:

Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom

1350 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR 97302-4205

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