Richard George Kinney passed from this earth November 14, 2025. Born to parents Elsie Brinn and Bruce Kinney in Eugene, Oregon on February 13, 1938. He arrived less than five pounds and lived in a dresser drawer in front of the kitchen stove for many months. Thirteen months later sister Joan arrived.

Years later the family was in a terrible auto accident, sending both Dick and his mother to the hospital, where his Mom stayed for a year. Dick lost a year of school because of this trauma Dick and his sister were sent to live with an aunt and uncle in a small community of Broadbent, Oregon. They were on a large ranch with sheep, cattle and forest. It was here Dick learned about shearing sheep, milking cows and lastly the logging industry. Life was not always work. He, his sister and neighboring ranch kids could cross railroad tracks and swim in the nearby river.

Back home in Eugene, Dick asked his folks for a bicycle. His Dad said he could get a job and earn it for himself. Well, he got a job deliver the Portland Times seven days a week including the double thick Sunday paper. All this was done walking before school started every morning! Dick was able to get the best Schwinn bike available — with a head light, no less! No wonder he was so particular about the upkeep for his tools, cars and trucks.

Dick’s dad being a tree topper and truck driver, hauled the old water tower to Eureka and learned of the lumbering in Humboldt County. He went home and told his family to pack their belongs, they were going to move to California.

Dick’s high school years were filled with the usual pranks, tipping cows, outhouses to driving his best friends grandmothers expensive car around the Fireside Motel parking lot. Now the location of Furniture Design.

Dick learned to drive from his dad. It was not an easy thing. Just try riding and driving with Dick now … well, maybe not! His pranks and sense of humor continued in later year when he drove for himself. Did you ever see the funny faces on the end of logs as they were on the way to the mills? Thank you for the chuckles, Dick!

Dick could tell you of many incidents while serving in the US Army as a tank mechanic in Germany — like seeing Elvis arrive, the music and television he was able to bring, visiting Worms, Germany, the Rhine River and many stories of the town folks. He was proud to be part of “Hell on Wheels.” In his travels he was not able to get to Grafton, West Virginia the home of his father and family. His parents never talked much of their youth.

He enjoyed agate hunting, collecting buoys, shot glasses, ball caps, garage sales and trips to Bandon.

Dick took on the responsibility of helping raise myself at 7 and my brother Anthony at 6. He was only 25. He was patient when we needed patience stern when we needed boundaries. He taught us to work to be respectful and kind. He was a man with strong opinions and stronger love for family. We always felt so blessed to have two dads. He was always a supportive person in our lives.

Years later he and Nancy found each other adding her gentle stability to family. I am forever grateful for them both. He was enormously proud of helping to raise all his step children, Donna, Tony and years later Linda. It was she he first asked if he could marry her mother. That was followed by Phil and then Ellen. Sixteen years of adventures followed their wedding.

Our thanks go to the many people who helped look after Dick — the Veterans Association and medical community and special caregivers Sandy, Mike, Rosanne and Paulette, as well as Hospice of Humboldt and Ayers Family Cremation for their kind help.

Grave side service will be presided over by good friend and best man Kevin Lockhart at Table Bluff Cemetery on Singly Hill Rd in Loleta 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Dick’s last truck ride will be provided Mike Jones and La Logging Big Iron. Wear your Hickory Shirts and boots if so inclined. Donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers (2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island N.Y., 10306) or Hospice of Humboldt (3327 Timber Fall Ct., Eureka, Ca 95503), or plant a primrose or sparaxes bulbs.

Always give a logger the right of way and a friendly wave.