Richard Marion "Dick" Balsiger

Portland, Ore. - Richard “Dick” Marion Balsiger passed away peacefully on Aug. 1, 2007, at the age of 84, with his family at his side in Portland, Ore.

Richard was born Nov. 3, 1922, in Redfield, S.D. He was the youngest of four children of Frederick Jacob and Marion Belle Balsiger. His mother passed away when he was 5 years old, and his father raised him on the family farm, often with Dick at his side on the tractor working the fields. He graduated from Watertown High School and earned a degree in law from the University of South Dakota.

Richard served with distinction in World War II, and was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in Belgium.

Upon returning from the war, he married his love, Winnifred “Winnie” Allbee on May 29, 1946, to whom he had written faithfully while he was overseas. He began his law practice in Britton, S.D., became County Judge of Marshall County, and then in 1957, went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, traveling frequently as he served in several regional management positions.

Richard moved to Portland, Ore., in 1961, and raised his two sons there, where he was a member of Montavilla United Methodist Church. In 1985, Richard retired and moved to Oceanside, Ore., to spend his retirement with his wife Winnie in the home they built by the ocean.

Richard was a previous commander of the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was also a member of the American Legion. He was an active member of the South Dakota bar at the time of his death.

Dad had many passions, including fishing, hunting, home projects, and cooking wonderful meals, but his greatest passion and legacy was his love for his family. Family was the most important thing to Dad, and he devoted himself to his wife and his children.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Winnie Balsiger; son, Richard M. Balsiger Jr. and wife, Christina of Portland; son, Randall Frederick Balsiger and wife, Linda of Seattle; grandsons, Quinn Patrick and Shawn Richard Balsiger and their brother, Dana DeCelio; and four great-grandchildren in the Portland area. He also leaves behind many loving relatives including sister-in-law, Polly Getten of Phoenix; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children in South Dakota, Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and South Carolina.

Dad had a huge heart filled with love, and he showed his love for others in unending ways every day of his life. His family will miss him deeply, and they will hold him and carry him in their hearts forever.

A service for Dad will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield followed by a burial alongside his family in Greenlawn Cemetery.