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- A life-long resident of the Klamath Basin, Richard Peter Eastman, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2018, with family members present.
He was born on Sept. 11, 1926, the oldest son of immigrants, Peter Eastman of Sweden, and Marie Vuttudal of Norway. The parents had immigrated to Minnesota, and finally to Klamath Falls, joining the large Swedish community that worked in the lumber industry. Peter and Marie were the parents of nine children.
Richard attended the Klamath County schools of Roosevelt, Altamont, and Klamath Union High School, where he was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. He was an excellent athlete, and felt school was where one went to play sports. He said another highlight of his childhood, was being president of the Altamont Cacklers 4-H Chicken Club - an honor only an Altamont student could proudly understand.
Like many young men of his time, he joined the U.S. Army in 1944, and served in the 41st Division of the Pacific Theater. He received his Combat Infantry Badge, and was also chosen to be in the honor guard of General Douglas McArthur. After thoughtful consideration, he declined this rather than extend his army service.
Upon his return to Klamath Falls, he met and married Trudy Charlene Bennett in 1949, and they became the parents of daughters Susan, Diane and Debra.
Like many of this community, he worked in the woods and lumber mills of Klamath Falls, spending any spare time camping, hunting, and fishing. His daughters thought they were too poor to vacation anywhere but camping, but later realized that that was all their father liked to do. He taught them to appreciate and respect nature.
Richard realized the lumber industry had a precarious future, so he studied evenings and earned certification as an accountant. In 1964 he purchased Webb's Bookkeeping and Accounting in Tulelake, Calif. Years later, he and Trudy purchased the Mallard Duck and Goose Processing Plant. He loved the people, hunting, and fishing of the Klamath Basin, so he and Trudy built a cabin at Medicine Lake to enjoy the outdoors they both loved. Many happy times with friends and family were spent there.
His later years were spent with his love of reading, writing and sharing his opinions with others. Although his early years of education were directed toward sports, Richard was very well read and self educated. His knowledge of history, literature and poetry was extensive. He had a remarkable memory and even into his 90's could quote poetry verbatim. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and remarked in his last weeks that he noticed in 92 years he had ended up moving only one block from where he was born and raised.
He was a modest and very kind man - always ready to help others less fortunate. He loved his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was proud of his military service and Scandinavian heritage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Martha, Margaret and Carol; wife and life-long friend, Trudy Eastman; and second wife, Margaret; also, his special hunting dogs that he was never able to train, Swede, Lil and Callie.
Surviving family members are his daughters, Susan Kreizenbeck (Rick), Diane Shockey (Orv), Debra Matthews (Nathan); grandchildren, Bret and Kristen Kreizenbeck, Abigail Shockey, and Justin and Chris Matthews; great grandchildren, Morgan, Brooke, Leah, Connor, Jack, Hannah, Kaylee, Hunter, Annabelle, Nate and Logan; sisters, Alice Rhodus and Elsie Howell; brothers, Robert, John and Don.
Published in Herald and News on July 15, 2018
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1926 - 2018 (91 år)
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