Richard C. “Dick” Hensley Jr. died on March 2, 2025 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 84.
He was born on July 21, 1940 in Pasadena, Calif. to Richard Sr. and Donna Ryman Hensley.
Dick was a member of the class of 1958 at Hermiston High School. He married the love of his life, Dorothy I. “Dot” Waas, on Dec. 27, 1964. He and Dot had many adventures throughout their marriage. Four months after they married, Dick went to Vietnam while Dot finished university. Dick completed his tour in Vietnam, then they moved to Germany where they lived and had their two oldest children. Dick was then deployed to Korea and Dot stayed home being an Army wife. They then were stationed in the Pacific Northwest, where they had their two youngest children and Dick retired. In 1981, they moved back to their hometown of Hermiston.
They loved traveling, doing different activities, hunting, old cars, square dancing, camping, sightseeing, going to the coast, and most of all going to the Minam River, where Dick would fish and Dot would read. Dick was a member of Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church. Dick and Dot spent many years doing Rendezvous re-enactments throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dick was an active member of the Hermiston Elks Lodge, where he and Dot traveled all over the United States.
He is survived by his children, Donna and Mike Irons, Ray and Astrid Hensley, Kathleen and Danny Madore, and Shawn and Michelle Hensley; grandchildren, Sam and Stephanie Irons, Zachary (Stacee) Irons, Tony Hensley, and Micah, Chloe, Isaac, and Calla Madore; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Benny and Kellen; brother, Steve (Kathy) Hensley; half-sister, Dara Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston. Please share memories of Dick with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
