Richard Dale Hobbs

Jan. 28, 1929 - Feb. 4, 2017

Richard Dale Hobbs, 88, of Eugene, formerly of Lebanon, died Saturday in Eugene.

Richard was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Geddes, South Dakota, the only child of Elmer and Dorothy Yechout Hobbs.

In 1939, his family moved to Oregon. He attended Lebanon High School, where he played trombone in the high school band and played both football and basketball. He graduated in 1947 and in 1948 he married Leslie Ramona Edwards. Together, they bought the Lacomb Grocery Store, which they operated for fourteen years. They had three sons.

Richard had a gift for numbers and in 1963 he began a 30-year career as a district manager for State Farm Insurance Company, responsible for the Roseburg, Seattle and Corvallis areas; the family lived in all three of these cities. Following his retirement in 1993, he and Leslie wintered in Mesa, Arizona, spent summers in Sisters, but ultimately returned to their Willamette Valley roots - Albany, Lebanon and finally Eugene.

Richard enjoyed buying, renovating and/or building various homes where he and his family lived.  They were never in one house for long, but wherever they were, Richard was noted for the beauty of his roses, which he faithfully cared for, and for his warmhearted hospitality. A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed golfing and fishing with his sons. He also enjoyed playing in the Elks Club Band and was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church.

Richard was a fighter, a survivor, determined to meet every challenge with courage. He outlived near-fatal colon cancer (1974) for 43 years and triple-bypass surgery (1987) for three decades. Throughout those ordeals, he never lost his faith nor his sense of humor nor his steadfast devotion to his family and friends, who will always remember him with fondness.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Ramona; sons Richard A. Hobbs of Seattle, Washington, Gregory Hobbs of Fall Creek, Oregon, and Mitchell Hobbs of Roseburg; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

At his request, no formal service is planned.  Private family burial will be at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Lebanon First Baptist Church and sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.