Richard Dale Drinkwater passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeview, Oregon on March 8, 2021
He never knew a stranger and always wanted to help people.
Born December 12, 1946, in Lakeview, Oregon to Charlie and Mae Wells Drinkwater.
He spent many years as a boy walking from town to his grandparents at the Head of Goose Lake to ride the horse and spend time with them. He was his grandma’s “Sugar Lump”.
Growing up he was well known for his athletic abilities and was offered an opportunity to go to Spring Training to try out as a Catcher for the San Francisco Giants.
After graduating from Lakeview High School in 1965, he attended college for a brief time at Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls. He and the Dean decided that wasn’t a good fit, so he joined the Army to “learn to march”. He served in Vietnam from 1966-1968 and achieved the rank of Buck Sergeant and was selected Soldier of the Month in 1967.
He married Lavone Dick on November 22, 1969, in Carson City, Nevada. He bought her the first pair of hunting boots for Christmas in 1969 and they spent the next 51 years hunting, fishing, camping, and romping the mountains and desert of Lake County. His dad always considered him a natural outdoorsman and he could get you home with a pair of socks for a fan belt, change a tire by being high-centered on a rock, and even air dry wet clothes from the side mirror on the way home.
In later years after his kids were grown, he had many happy times with his faux grandchildren.
After discharge from the Army, he went to work for Trans Western Freight then went on to work with his dad at the Phillipps 66 bulk plant that his dad owned. From there he became a heavy equipment operator for Lake County Road Department and retired in 2003. He could not stay away from the Cat (Yellow Car) and moving dirt so enjoyed the last few years working for Tom and Dennis Lane in Adel, Oregon. Richard had always felt like part of the community in Plush and Adel and worked hard to maintain his dual citizenship.
He was preceded in death by parents Charlie and Mae and brother Charles.
Survived by wife Lavone, daughter Joni and Shawn Knight, son Bub and Elana, and fur person Fritzi Faye. Sister Sharon and Bob Warner and family, sister in law Vickie Drinkwater and family. The extended family of John and Betty Dick, Melvin and Clydeen Dick and family, Billy and Terry Dick and family. Richard was affectionately known as “Uncle R” to family and had too many friends, acquaintances, and shady characters to mention by name.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields until we meet again.
A celebration of life for Richard will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made in Richard’s memory to the VFW Post 4070, PO Box 134, Lakeview, OR 97630, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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