Memories of Richard Van de Water

In memory of

Richard Van de Water

Ashland, OR, USA

June 26, 1950 - November 6, 2020

Jun 26, 1950 - Nov 6, 2020

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Richard?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Betsy Stapleton

Hi Robbie, Just thinking about you today and sending my love.

Read More Read Less

Margo Tarver

Shared a heart

Betsy Stapleton

Oh, Robbie. a whole year since Richard passed away. I hope this day is filled with sweet memories of all you shared. Michael and I wish you both were still living up the road from us so that we could share the pleasure of being with you, but please know that we hold both of you in our hearts no matter where you are.

Read More Read Less

Please consider a gift to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy.

$1,275.00

Raised by 11 people

Learn more & give

Betsy Stapleton

Oh, Robbie, a year. Michael and I think of you and Richard and hold you in our thoughts and heart. May you spend this anniversary treasuring sweet memories.

Read More Read Less

Margo Tarver

James Culbertson

1998, Above Russian Lake

Dick with sisters Margaret and Marian, and son Kip. Guess who lives closest to Hollywood

Read More Read Less

Roberta Van de Water

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Richard's family or funeral.

Browse sympathy flowers

James Culbertson

1998, Above Russian Lake

When growing up, my brother Bob and I always looked forward to spending time with our cousins Dick and Mark. There were few quiet moments. A cave dug into a sandstone hill, a tree rope swing on a tall oak on a steep hillside, cardboard toboggans running down grassy hillsides, and tales of ram matador expertise. In more recent years Dick and his family hosted family camping trips for several dozen family members up in his and Robbie's territory. When asked how far it was to the goal of a hike, it was always "about a mile" to the scenic peak or beautiful lake. In this picture, folk were asked to act like they were clinging on the edge of a precipice, which wasn't too far from the truth.

Read More Read Less

Marc Williams

After reading all the kind remarks below, it is hard to come up with something new about our friend, Richard. Still, I can say, at work, he was always a tremendous help. When I was wrestling with spotted owl habitat and owl locations, Richard was prompt with a GIS map which he seemed to produce from thin air. I always enjoyed our conversations, he was extremely bright, and often offered insight to a topic, which I greatly appreciated. I remember hikes and "skinny ski" skiing in the early days. One hike, in particular, was memorable. We left from my house, and with another friend, walked across a neighbor's large private parcel to gain access to higher elevation. We were in the woods, away from any building, when the neighbor suddenly appeared and chewed us out for crossing his land. Richard remained calm through the whole thing, but I was embarrassed for us. We retreated and circled around to gain access to the neighboring public lands. He left this world way too soon, and I will miss his gentleness, kindness and wisdom. Sail on Richard...

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Roberta Van de Water

And then there was the time you went skiing into the E. Boulder Lakes bowl and the 3rd person in your party... Read more And then there was the time you went skiing into the E. Boulder Lakes bowl and the 3rd person in your party broke her leg. Richard... Read more And then there was the time you went skiing into the... Read more

Marc Williams

oh, right. I had forgotten. Probably happened in early to mid-80s. My ex-wife, Carol, myself and Richard... Read more oh, right. I had forgotten. Probably happened in early to mid-80s. My ex-wife, Carol, myself and Richard try to ski up to E... Read more oh, right. I had forgotten. Probably happened in ... Read more

Karen West

When I remember Richard, I will remember a philosopher, a lover of the outdoors, a dedicated grandpa, and an extraordinary GIS wizard.

Read More Read Less

Mike Lee

Richard will always be remembered first as a classy, generous, and considerate friend; he was a real professional at work helping and assisting so many. We are saddened that he had to leave his family and the rest of us so soon. He was one of the real special people , who along with Robbie, helped us in a time of need. The world is cheated by his early passing. Happiness forever, Richard. and love to your family.

Read More Read Less

Steve Renner

Richard was my first survey party chief and mentor with the USFS.
Richard and Robbie were among the first friends we made in Scott Valley. We have many memories of hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing with the Van de Waters, and shared many meals with them at their French Creek home.
Molly remembers that Richard introduced Steve to beer brewing. Richard quickly moved on from that hobby, but 39 years later we are still enjoying a keg of homebrew in our refrigerator. We are happy to have an opportunity to donate to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy in Richards name, as we will never forget his Halloween costume circa 1982. Richard showed up at the Keil's home in Yreka covered in Saran Wrap as a "Preservationist".
We will always remember Richard as a kind and thoughtful man.
We send our love and sympathy to Robbie and all of the family.

Read More Read Less

Roberta Van de Water

Comments:

Roberta Van de Water

SAG princes. SAG princes. SAG princes.

Roberta Van de Water

Scott Valley, California, USA

This was the SAG (support) team for an annual informal 3-day loop bicycle reunion called the Tour de Marbles. Dave (also rider), Harold, Bob (also rider), Don and Richard carried our camping gear and refreshments and provided encouragement on the hills. 210 miles of breathtaking canyon scenery: Scott, Salmon and Klamath rivers. With most of us being women, we also enjoy the scenery of these handsome dudes. Richard SAG'd from 2012-2018.

Read More Read Less

JoEllen & Ron Keil

2013, Black Marble Mountain, Box Camp Ridge Trail

Richard and friends in the Marble Mountains

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Roberta Van de Water

What a great memory and photo from the Keil. What a great memory and photo from the Keil. What a great memory and photo from the Keil.

John Allen

Richard's wonderful way of getting GIS (geographic in formation system) in full gear on the Klamath Natl. Forest. We worked together on that endeavour. He was always pleasant and thoughtful with his co-workers. He told me that working on the fire lookout 1 day a week recallibrated his eyes to see long distances because he was on the computer the rest of the week - I'll never forget that word of wisdom - Miss you, John Allen

Read More Read Less

In response to "What act of kindness did you witness from Richard?"

Sue Maurer

Richard has been a friend and colleague for many years...a trailblazer, personally and professionally. He was "the" GIS expert for the Klamath NF and blazed the way with this technology, providing quality analysis and maps, sharing his love of place and encouraging others with his patience and skills.
He loved to hike and explore and I feel so fortunate to have shared some adventures with him and Robbie over the years. His kindness, gracefulness and generosity is a gift that I will always carry with me.
To Robbie, Kip, Leah, Quinn, Rose and other family and friends, I hold you up at this time with the love that Richard shared for you as your husband, brother, father, grandpa and friend. He will be missed but gave us all so much.

Read More Read Less

Sue Maurer

2010, Carter Meadows

Richard with Snow Buddy

Read More Read Less

Catherine Barash

I met Richard 40 years ago at Music Creek when he was working on the survey crew. Later, I learned he had come close to a PhD in philosophy but decided he would rather work in the woods. I learned he had hitchhiked through Europe and rode in boxcars in the US. He was an endless learner and questioner. He read constantly, with a huge pile next to his chair. While he had a wide ranging mind, he was also disciplined -- Raisin Bran for breakfast, a single Snickers bar in the afternoon. He was punctual, frugal, a careful driver and a minimalist before it was trendy. We teased him about wearing an old pair of Forest Service pants everywhere. Every weekend, he would plan a hike, and he gifted me a love of hiking and playing cribbage. He had a Forest map imprinted on his mind. While on a hike, he could point to a ridge and name it and all the drainages behind. Bruce and I shared vacations, holidays and birthdays with him. Even after he lost his mobility, he didn't lose who he was -- kind, thoughtful and unassuming He was family and many of us miss him very much.

Read More Read Less

Betsy Stapleton

Roberta Van de Water

Shared a heart

Catherine Barash

Shared a heart

Roberta Van de Water

He loved to hike the backcountry, while he was able. He was an avid reader.

Read More Read Less

In response to "What did Richard love to do?"

Betsy Stapleton

Lynn Cohen-Froberg

Lynn Cohen-Froberg
I will always remember Richard as a very kind, gentle and highly intelligent person. Over the years when I would call Robbie (I am her east coast long time close friend) and Richard would answer the phone, we would have wonderful talks. He would tell me what he and Robbie were up to, but most often he would tell me happy stories about Rose, Quinn, Kip and Lea. I could hear the warm smile in his voice. It was always clear how proud he was of his family and how very much he loved them. I am sure Richard will live on in the many wonderful memories he made for Robbie and their family.

Read More Read Less

Catherine Barash

Betsy Stapleton

2012, French Creek Rd to Sugar Creek

I will always remember walking French Creek Rd to Sugar Creek, measuring every inch, with Richard and Robbie. Richard's sharp mind analyzing constantly. Even though he was already suffering with considerable pain he never complained through that long day. It is a honor to have known him.
I also remember the first time I met Richard- pulling marlahan mustard along the north Fork Ditch. I will make sure to pull a few in his memory every year until I am no longer able.

Read More Read Less

Catherine Barash

Roberta Van de Water

There were so many experiences, places and good times with family and friends: the biennial Family Camp, bicycle road trips that he sagged, snorkeling in Belize, Hawaii and Greece, hiking near Lands End, Cornwall and the Lake District. But a favorite is a project close to home I did as watershed consultant for KNF where Richard volunteered as my assistant. The picture of him crossing Sugar Ck. on his mountain bike is from that field survey. He had just retired with his engineering savvy intact, and we had a blast driving sketchy roads, hiking trails and biking both, and comparing notes while we picnicked.

Read More Read Less

In response to "What was the most fun you ever had with Richard?"

Catherine Barash

Margo Tarver

My brother was always a source of fun and love. He treasured his family and friends. I am thankful to have so many wonderful memories of times spent together growing up and as adults when all of our families got together for camping trips together. I treasure these memories.

Read More Read Less

Catherine Barash

Comments:

Margo Tarver

I remember him talking about this experience and how much he enjoyed it. I remember him talking about this experience and how much he enjoyed it. I remember him talking about this experience and how... Read more

Roberta Van de Water

Bolivar Lookout, Callahan, CA, USA

Calling in.

Read More Read Less

Catherine Barash

Comments:

Roberta Van de Water

Richard loved his biological family, of which there are cousins and grand-nieces and -nephews too numerous... Read more Richard loved his biological family, of which there are cousins and grand-nieces and -nephews too numerous to list on this site.... Read more Richard loved his biological family, of which there... Read more