Richard C. “Dick” Humphrey died peacefully and surrounded by family on Feb. 23. Dick was born Feb. 7, 1932, in Milwaukie. He was the son of CJ Humphrey, a home builder in Portland, and Louise Lewis Humphrey, a tax consultant. He attended Milwaukie High school and graduated in 1949. During his youth he was involved in riding and racing horses, band, skiing and swimming.
In 1950, he entered the Navy and served on the USS Kidd during the Korean War. He returned from the service to attend Oregon State College, where he graduated in civil engineering in 1958.
Dick was very proud to have been the 55th employee of CH2M, now CH2M Hill, where he served as head of Waste Water Collection for many years and stayed until he retired in 1993. While at CH2M, he served as consulting engineer for the development of many sewer systems in Oregon cities including: Albany, Salem, Medford, Bend, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Lincoln City, Stayton, Hood River and Parkdale, to name a few. He was a lead engineer on the Milwaukee, Wis., Metropolitan Sewer District construction, one of the largest sewer construction projects in the United States. He also contributed to sewer development in the countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. While never seeing himself in the field of public health or as an environmentalist, his work contributed greatly to these fields.
Dick met the love of his life, Shirlene Binnall, in Portland in 1954, and they married in 1955. They had three children, Linda, Deborah and Richard “Rick.” They had a very happy marriage and family life and were fortunate to have been married 54 years.
Dick was passionate about many things but especially Shirlene, his family, his work and Oregon. He was also passionate about flying, and in 1968 obtained a private pilot’s license and spent many happy hours piloting a Cessna. Dick loved Camp Sherman and the Sisters area and loved that he once traveled completely around the world beginning and ending in Sisters. He loved music, animals, construction and homebuilding, and was very proud of Rick, who is a home builder in Corvallis. He enjoyed Beaver sports throughout his life.
Dick is survived by his wife, Shirlene, of Corvallis; daughters Dr. Linda Humphrey and Deborah Humphrey of Portland; son Rick; son-in-law Dr. Tom Lorish; and grandchildren Lindsey and Ryan Humphrey of Corvallis, David and Katie Lorish of Portland, and Dr. Jack McAnulty and Dr. Ann Weston. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dr. Jeanne Humphrey Block.
A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A small family gathering and burial with military honors will take place at Willamette National Cemetery on March 2.