Dick Weitzel
Richard Henry Weitzel was born in Portland, Oregon, on December 26, 1935, the son of Heinrich George Weitzel (1900-1983) and Margaret Katherine Lehr (1907-1981). Both parents are descendants of Volga German immigrants from Norka, Russia.
The following is an excerpt from Richard Weitzel's obituary:
The following is an excerpt from Richard Weitzel's obituary:
Portrait of Richard Weitzel. Source: Richard Henry Weitzel Obituary posted on OregonLive.com.
Richard Henry Weitzel
Dec. 26, 1935 - Oct. 11, 2022
Richard "Dick" Henry Weitzel, a first generation son of Norka immigrants, was born in Portland, Ore., Dec. 26, 1935 to Henry Weitzel and Margaret (Lehr) Weitzel. He was raised in North Portland with his brother, Dale Weitzel and sister, Barbara (Weitzel) Johnson. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953. He then attended Portland State University.
Dick exchanged wedding vows with Marilyn Alice Pollock Aug. 18, 1956 at Moreland Presbyterian Church. The two were engaged on Valentine's Day of that same year. They were married for 59 years, just shy of their 60th anniversary. Dick and Marilyn were blessed with four children, Steven W., David H., Susan M., and Richard L.
Dick started his working career as a paperboy for The Oregonian delivering to the floating homes along the Columbia River. He was proud of being awarded a trip to the Bay Area for the most papers delivered. He and Marilyn even had an early morning date delivering papers together. Dick's first job in the hauling industry was working for Buz Walker, his good friend and pinochle playing partner at the Blow Fly Tavern. In 1965 he purchased his first garbage hauling company, servicing the Ladd's Addition neighborhood for 20 years. In addition, in 1978 he and two partners, Ray Salvi and John Trout, formed SWATCO Sanitary Service in Western Washington county. He retired in 2006 while keeping the businesses in the family.
Dick spent many years in the Portland Softball Association as a fastpitch pitcher. He was known as Whitey in the softball community with a very mean changeup. His fame even extended to the Erv Lind Stadium concession stand where they served the "Weitzel Burger" for years. He pitched his last no-hitter at the age of 50. He also coached Little League for many years in the Kenton and Mt. Sylvania Little Leagues.
He had many nicknames and was known to his family and close friends as "Big D."
Dick passed away after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia, Oct. 11, 2022 in Portland, Ore.
Sources
Last updated October 18, 2022.