This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Meehan, Chilcutt, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5415/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Guard Lincoln City, OR 97367 May 5, 2010 Richard Meehan Richard H. Meehan of Lincoln City died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, with his wife, Judy, at his side. He was 79. He was born in 1931 in San Francisco to Richard W. and Evelyn Meehan, who called him Jay. But others throughout his life called him by his nickname, Dick. His father worked in a photography studio until the repeal of prohibition, when he took up the art of bar tending. Dick lost his mother when he was only 3, and with his father working evenings, he was sent to board with various families in Modesto and Merced, Calif. Later, he moved to his uncle's house in Portland, attending Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland. In his sophomore year of college, he was able to rejoin his father in San Clemente and transfer for UCLA. After his sophomore year at UCLA, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned as a lieutenant after completing officer training. He earned his wings and flew numerous aircraft in service to his country, including the first American fighter, the P-80, as well as the T-6 Texas Trainer and the F-51 successor to the P-51 Mustang. He also served as navigation officer on C-47 transports. With the outbreak of the Korean War, his commission was extended in what became known as "The Truman Year," and he was honorably discharged in 1954. In 1955, he married, and the following year his first son was born while he completed his B.A. in history. After graduation, he began his career as an educator, starting in Pico Rivera, Calif., teaching the sixth grade. He moved from Orange County to Ventura County to pursue graduate studies at USC, while teaching sixth grade at Mill School in Ventura. After completing his master's degree in education, he served as principal of Santa Ana school in Ventura and his family grew, with four more sons. During this time, he earned his doctorate in education. In the early 1970s he moved back to Oregon to become the principal and superintendent of the Colton Combination Elementary/High School and then accepted a position as assistant superintendent in Canby. In later years, he returned to the classroom, teaching fifth and sixth grades in Oregon City until his retirement in 1998. Dick was able to visit Ireland, the home of his ancestry. He and his wife Judy had many Mexican adventures, spent time in Nepal and Thailand and enjoyed traveling, often with friends. In the fall of 2002, Dick and Judy fell in love with a view of Devils Lake and made their home there. As health issues began to surface, their plans for continued travel changed and their home was made into a permanent vacation destination, where Dick loved to sit on the deck with a cigar and soak up the view. He called it "paradise." Their dog, Manny, completed their family of three within an extremely close neighborhood. When they moved to Lincoln City nearly eight years ago, they knew no one but quickly became part of the community. Dick was named the Lincoln City "Man of the Year" for 2006 for his work on an educational bond issue and for his volunteer work with the schools and the community. He was a lifelong liberal, and you always knew where he stood when talking with him. He lived with and worked for the values in which he believed. He touched many with his generosity, and his sense of humor permeated everything he did. He will live on in the hearts of many. He is survived by his wife, Judy Chilcutt-Meehan; sons Stephen, Terry, Kevin, Patrick and Tim; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and many friends. Services have been held. Memorial donations to the Lincoln City Backpack Food Program or to hospice would please him. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.