Richard Robert Saxton

Richard “Dick” Robert Saxton, died at approximately 6:30 am, on Monday, July 4th, 2016 at 79 years of age. Dick passed away after a three month battle with complications from surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He spent those three months at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Kaiser Westside Medical Center, West Hills Health and Rehabilitation, and S&S Elite Care home, where he peacefully breathed his last breath.

Dick was born January 9th, 1937 to parents Clifford and Agnes (Thorne) Saxton in Portland Oregon, and was a lifelong resident of Oregon. He worked as a home builder/contractor for many years. He built the Beaverton home that he lived in for 48 years as well as many houses in Portland, Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro, and surrounding areas. After working as a builder for 30 plus years, Dick became a yacht broker where he was able to share his passion for boating in the great Pacific Northwest.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen Saxton and their two children, Lisa (Saxton) Simpson and Brent Saxton; son-in-law, Robert Simpson; daughter-in-law Wendy (Robeson) Saxton; four grandchildren, Ryan & Mollie Simpson, and Hayden & Ethan Saxton; his sister-in-law Vera Saxton; and his faithful canine companion, Charlie Brown.

Dick was the youngest of four brothers. Dick’s oldest brother Phillip Saxton (Phil) passed away in January of this year, his 2nd oldest brother, Alvin (Al), passed away several years ago, and his third brother, Clifford (Kiff), passed away in April. His three brothers and their families made up a large and close-knit clan. Uncle Dick’s cheerfulness and sense of humor made him a great favorite with his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

In his early years, Dick would help by working at his father’s grocery store and family's business. He attended Jefferson High School where he lettered in football and track, graduating in 1955. He then attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He met his wife, Karen Pratt, on the Promenade at Seaside in June of 1960 and they were married on July 1st, 1961 in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Portland. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on July 1st, three days before Dick passed away.

Dick was the kind of dad and grandpa who would do whatever he could to attend his children and grandchildren’s graduations, sporting events, performances, and birthday parties. He loved to be with his family. Dick had a passion for boating and was a charter member of the Tollycrafters Northwest Boating Club for many years, spending time with his family and dogs (Nanook, Riley, Max, and Charlie Brown). He owned four Tollycraft boats buying his first the day his son Brent was born. In addition, you would never find Dick without his camera taking pictures of everything he could, including his endless boating trips and all his grandchildrens’ activities and sporting events. Dick had taken over 16,000 pictures of boats, scenery, wildlife, family and friends, and anything else that caught his interest.

A memorial event will be held for Dick at 2:00 on Thursday, July 14 at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, under the Imbrie Meadow tent, where Dick and Karen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends five years ago.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Funeral Home in Beaverton, Oregon.