Richard W. “Dick” French, 77, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Wednesday afternoon, November 18, 2020 at the OHSU Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro. Private Cremation Rites were held at the Hoyt Crematory in Forest Grove. RICHARD WAYNE FRENCH was born September 19, 1943 in Van Meter, Iowa, the son of the late Francis Clifford French and Laura Ruth (Peppers) French. He was raised and received his early education in the Van Meter community, until he moved with his family to Panora, Iowa, where he completed his schooling. Dick was a graduate of the Panora High School Class of 1961. Dick was an Aviation Electronics Technician in the Navy until his retirement on March 1, 1981 after 21 years. He retired as a Chief ATC (E-7). He served two tours in Vietnam and received several medals and citations including the Navy Good Conduct Medal (4), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (2), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal. Dick was united in marriage to Brenda M. Creed on December 10, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia. They celebrated their 40th wedding this past December. Following their marriage, they resided in Norfolk until 1981, when they moved to Perkasie, Pennsylvania. They lived in the Perkasie community for thirty-one years, until 2012, when they moved to the Forest Grove community, where they have resided since. He was a member of the Martin J. Ryan V.F.W. Post #2666 in Hillsboro. He also enjoyed fishing and camping out at the Oregon Coast. He worked for Dale Clemens Custom Tackle in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 1981 to 1991, when he purchased the business. He owned and operated the shop for over ten years, until 2002, when he retired. Dick enjoyed building custom fishing rods and was a member of the Custom Rod Builders Guild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Laura French. Survivors include his wife, Brenda French, of the family home in Forest Grove, Oregon; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Danielle French, of Forest Grove, Oregon; Michael and Allison French, of Augusta Maine, and Francis “Rick” and Lauren French, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He had his six grandchildren two granddaughters, Neve and Rachel French; 4 grandsons, Cameron, Taylor, Carter, and Henry French. Also surviving are his two sisters, brother and spouses, Roberta and Dale Weeks, of Seymour, Iowa; Carole Schneider, of La Marque, Texas; and Harry and Deb French, of Van Meter, Iowa. The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, in his memory. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to www.fuitenrosehoyt.com. Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove is entrusted with the arrangements.