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Richard Deleissegues Obituary


RICHARD GLENN DELEISSEGUES
December 7, 1936 ~ September 9, 2018

Richard Glenn Deleissegues passed away September 9, 2018, after a short illness. Dick was born in Santa Maria, CA, on December 7, 1936. In 1946 his family moved to Alturas, in Modoc County, in Northern California.
Dick was captain of his high school track team and played three years of varsity football for the Modoc Braves. He became an Eagle Scout and enjoyed the program so much he performed all the requirements a second time. Dick worked summers at the local saw mill through high school and all through college. He earned a full scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno, Mackey School of Mines, but discovered he was claustrophobic underground and changed course to Civil Engineering. He was president of his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, and graduated with an Army ROTC Commission.
In the Army, Dick served Active Duty in the Air Defense branch, working at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX. He continued in the Army Reserves, Corps of Engineers until 1994, retiring as a full Colonel and graduate of the U.S. Army War College. When he was released from active service he spent a summer working with the Forest Service, leading a survey crew. His boss discovered he was a graduate engineer and sent his information to the Regional Office. Dick was promoted and transferred to the Angeles National Forest in Pasadena, California. He noticed the receptionist, Rebecca Hodges, waited for him to help fold the flag each night. He and Rebecca married in 1964 and combined their Baptist and Catholic backgrounds to become Presbyterians and Dick served in several churchs as elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher. They moved with the Forest Service to Redding, CA; Crestline, CA; Manassas, VA; Missoula, MT; and then Martinez, CA. He worked on many major projects, including the California Water Project, Silverwood Reservoir, June Lake Loop, and the Tahoe Basin. He served as Assistant Regional Engineer of Region 1 in Missoula, and then Regional Engineer for Region 5, in California.
Dick had a long tradition of public service. He served on city planning commissions in both Missoula and Martinez before being appointed to Clark County planning commission where he served for 15 years, including several years as chairman. He and Becky became Fire Hazard volunteers for Fire District 3 in 1996. Dick was elected Fire Commissioner for Fire District 3 in 2000, where he continued to serve into his third term.
Dick and Becky celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016. He is survived by Becky and children Richard (Johanna) and Melissa Mertens (David), four grandchildren, Natasha Dmitri, Richard Diego and Lewis, sister Ann Bofferding (Darrell), sister-in-law, Susie Wood, and several dear nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Dick was thankful for the life he lived, the family he created as well as all the great friendships he made in the Forest Service, Army, Presbyterian Church, and Fire District, along with neighbor families.
A Memorial Service will be held September 23, at 2:00, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA followed by military internment October 8th, 12:30 at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Dick's name may be made to his favorite organizations:
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Open House Ministries of Vancouver; or Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, California.
Please sign his guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on Sep. 16, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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I'm so sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and comfort from God. "He will make you firm, He will make you strong, He will firmly ground you". 1Peter 5:10

September 24, 2018

My deepest sympathy. He was a kind and generous man who will be greatly missed.

Christina Stiegelmeyer Mona

September 20, 2018

Such an amazing friend, family man and patriot. Our hearts are with Becky and family. Take comfort in the certainty that Dick is in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.

Matt & Maryanne

September 19, 2018

We met Dick in Montana in 1976. Our friendship continued over the years and as recent as June 2018 we stayed with Dick and Becky. It was a sad day for us and for your family to learn of his death. Dick meant so much to many, many people. He was active in the Military and in public service everywhere the family lived. Dick and Becky raised two outstanding children who have both contributed much to this Country.
Anyone that knew Dick will miss him very much.

Mel Teigen

September 19, 2018

So sorry for your loss.May you receive strength and comfort from God. "He will make you firm,He will make you strong, He will firmly ground you". 1Peter 5:10

September 18, 2018

Larry and I were deeply saddened to learn of Dick's passing. We will miss him.

Patti Matson

September 16, 2018

What a great friend, he will be missed.

September 16, 2018

Our deepest sympathy and fond memories of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather to his family.

Dick and Sherri

September 16, 2018

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