Richard Neil Dodd

Richard Neil Dodd, Portland native son, was born to Pearl and Marion Dodd on September 15, 1927.  His passed on March 11 surrounded by his wife and five children.

Dick graduated from Fernwood Grade School, Grant High School and Oregon State University.  He attended Vanport College following high school but was drafted in 1946 and sent to El Paso, Texas for basic training and then Anchorage, Alaska.  There he played on the Fort Richardson hockey team that traveled throughout Western Canada and the Northern U.S.

He graduated from OSU in 1951 where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  He worked briefly for the Life Saver Company before beginning his career in the insurance business as an underwriter for the Hartford Insurance Company.  In 1954 he took over the F.S. Jones Insurance Agency, which later became the Saling/Dodd Agency.  In 1985 that company merged with Fullerton & Company.  He served as President of the Portland Insurance Agents Association and was a member of the Portland Charter Property and Casualty Underwriters Association.  He eventually retired in 1990 after 39 years in the insurance industry.

Dick was an Eagle Scout, earning 52 merit badges, and the first Ranger Scout in the Portland area.  He was an avid mountaineer who climbed every major peak in the Northwest, and was a member of the Wy’east Climbers and Oregon Mountain Rescue.  He was chairman of the Jaycee Ski School in 1944, and then a ski instructor for Mt. Hood Ski School at Multorpor Ski Area.  In 1974 he established the Telemark Cross Country Ski School and also taught winter survival classes.  He was a longtime member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

In retirement he returned to his childhood passion, standard gauge Lionel trains.  He developed a large layout in his basement that was featured in the Classic Toy Train magazine and also on the traveling tour of the 1994 annual Train Collectors of America convention held in Portland.

He is survived by Betty, his wife of 64 years, brother Norman (Kathy), daughter Julie Rasmussen (Dave), Sons Jim (Bess), Tom (Kim), David (Sara) and Peter (Meg), 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and bath professionals from Providence Home Health LLC and Providence Hospice for their dedication to the care and comfort of Dick during his year-long battle.

A memorial service will be held at Rose City Park United Methodist Church, 5830 NE Alameda, Portland, OR. on Friday, March 17 at 11:00 am with reception following.

Remembrances to USO, PO Box 96860,Washington D.C. 20077-7677, Rose City Park United Methodist Church, or the Boy Scouts of America.