Richard Charles "Dic" Van Gorder
July 13, 1922 – November 23, 2009
Dic Van Gorder passed away peacefully Monday morning, November 23, 2009 in Salem, Oregon. He was born the third of four children to Glen Dale and Mona Kathleen Van Gorder on July 13, 1922 in Portland, Oregon. He was raised in Portland and moved with his family to Nebraska during his high school years.
Dic served his country proudly in the US Navy Submarine Service during World War II from 1942-45, and was recalled during the Korean Conflict from 1949-53. He met Donna Marie Daniels who was also serving in the Navy and they were married in Grand Junction, Colorado on July 1, 1945 and enjoyed 64 happy years together.
He graduated from San Francisco School of Mortuary Science and did his apprenticeship in Lebanon, Oregon. Dic was co-owner of Gable Funeral Home and Batman's Chapel of the Dawn in Portland. He was hired in 1948 for one year and ended up staying 40 years, retiring in 1988. They moved to Capital Manor in Salem in 2007 and have enjoyed many new friendships with the residents and employees.
Dic was involved with many community service organizations. He was a lifetime member of Eastgate Masonic Lodge 155, Gresham Elks #1805, VFW and Sub-Vets of WWII. He served many years in the Montavilla Kiwanis Club, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 281 and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he cheerfully greeted members of the Eola Hills Ward each Sunday morning. He was an avid golfer, loved cribbage games with his Manor friends, swimming "widths" in Roswell's morning pool time, but most of all loved being with his family.
Dic is survived by his sister Connie of Santa Cruz, CA; his wife Donna; daughters Dian Jack Pugh of Shedd, Denise Alan Murray and Debbie Jim Jensen of Salem. Grandchildren include John Kathy, Casey Amy, Todd, Amy Justin, Kavin, Brian Jacklyn and Christine. Great-grandchildren are Layne, Gianna and Jacoby. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Keith Robert and Stuart and his grandson Scott Murray.
A memorial service will be held at the Capital Manor auditorium 1955 Salem Dallas Hwy on Sunday, November 29th at 7 pm. A military graveside service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland at 10:30 am on Monday, November 30, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dic's name may be made to the following organizations that he felt strongly about: Honor Flight Network which he and Donna participated in September of this year, Hope's Voice or Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp for Handicapped Children in care of Farnstrom-Gable Funeral Chapel.
He was a good man. We love him. We'll miss him.
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