ACKERMAN, RICHARD W.

RENTON, WASH. – Richard “Dick” Wendle Ackerman, 85, died of natural causes in his home in Renton, Wash. on October 20, 2009. Born May 19, 1924 to Samuel and Henrietta Ackerman, Dick was raised in Klamath Falls and graduated from Klamath Union High School. While he was a long-time resident of Oregon, Dick and his wife of 51 years, Trudy, decided to move to Renton, Wash. in 2006 to be closer to their son and his family. During World War II, Dick fought with the Marine Raiders in the Pacific Theater and was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries in Guam. He later served in Korea. Dick worked for the United Telephone Company in both Oregon and Iowa for 35 years. While in the Midwest, Dick served on a labor relations advisory panel for the University of Wisconsin and eight years as co-chairman of the Industrial Relations Research Association for the State of Iowa. Additionally, he conducted labor relations seminars for several Midwestern universities. In 1982, Dick and Trudy retired back to the West in Salem, Ore. Reflective of his long-time interest in the American western migration, Dick became a charter member of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) working tirelessly to preserve the heritage of western migration trails. He and Trudy led modern-day “wagon trains” from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City sharing their love of western history with participants. Dick served one term as Vice-President and two terms as President of OCTA and chaired the organization’s historic preservation committee. He was awarded the Meritorious Achievement Award in 1993. Dick served as chairman of two OCTA national conventions, was appointed by the Governor to the Oregon Trail Advisory Council, and served as chairman of the Oregon Heritage Signing committee. He also volunteered for the Oregon Travel Information Council restoring historic markers across the state. Dick is survived his wife, Trudy; their son, Andrew (Joan); his grandson, Matt (Emily); granddaughter, Maurine; and great-granddaughter, Kylee. He will not only be remembered for a life of honor, integrity, and accomplishment, but for his loyal friendship to others, and as a lovingly devoted husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Dick’s remains are interred at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.