Dick Uhl

Dick was born and lived his life in Portland. He attended Beaumont grade school and graduated from Grant High School. Dick joined the U.S. Air National Guard while attending Lewis & Clark College and served in Japan. His service with the Guard was focused in education and training, where he ran a basic training program and participated in the Oregon Air National Guard Drum & Bugle Corps playing the French horn. In later years, he was also the drug and alcohol counselor for the Guard. Dick volunteered at Camp Rosenbaum, where underprivileged kids from across Oregon experienced camping on the Oregon Coast. He helped with planning the first camp 42 years ago and was a camp counselor for many years. Dick met his first wife, Joan (Annin) Uhl, while attending college. They loved to garden, travel and entertain. They were rockhounds and also members of the Mariners Social Club. Dick's early career was teaching eighth grade at Highland (now Martin Luther King), then Boise Elementary schools. He was a great teacher and the kids loved him. He was their Pop Warner football coach and basketball coach, leading his teams to city championships many times. Dick obtained his master's degree in teaching from Oregon State University. He then headed the Teacher Corps, saying he "taught teachers how to teach." Dick was selected as the curriculum director for the first middle school in Portland, Portsmouth Middle School. After Portsmouth, he taught at Skyline and Fernwood middle schools. He gave experiences and joy to many young people. Dick met his second wife, Mina (McCorkell) Uhl, through this network of teachers. Dick died peacefully at home with family after a relaxing few days at the beach. A memorial service for Dick will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015, at First Unitarian Church in Southwest Portland, followed by a reception there. Dick's urn placement will held Friday, April 24, 2015, in Willamette National Cemetery. A blog has been created where people may post and read memories and pictures of Dick at: www.dickuhlmemories.wordpress.com. Dick loved music and to sing and dance. He loved the beach and to fish and catch Dungeness crabs. He loved gardening and playing games. But most of all, Dick loved people. He was always involved in many social groups including the First Unitarian TGIF and Good Times clubs, movie group, Friday Panera's and Saturday men's breakfast clubs, and very active in Portland Community College's Senior Studies Institute. He was an activist for peace and equality and advocate for the poor and underprivileged. He was a phenomenal cheerleader for accomplishments big and small. "Uniquely kind, loving and generous." Dick is survived by his daughters, Lisa and Allison Uhl; granddaughters, Natasha and Bonnie Lipai; and countless others who have called him grandpa, coach, teacher and friend. We will feel his positive energy forever. Service Information