Richard E. (Dick) Pugh died peacefully on May 18, 2019 in Woodburn, Oregon. He was born April 15, 1929 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Harry Rufus Pugh and Mellie Marcella (Long) Pugh.
Music was important to Dick throughout his life. He played clarinet and alto saxophone in his high school band and orchestra, the Colorado Springs Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado College marching band, and the Great Jazz Band/The 2nd Air Force Base Stratoliners. He was a member of a swing jazz quartet which played at various venues including Cripple Creek, Co.
At 17, at the end of World War II, Dick joined the Civil Air Patrol based out of Petersen Field and Lowry Air Force Base, advancing to the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Dick began his education as a music major at Colorado University, Greeley, CO and ended with a business degree from Blair Business College in Colorado Springs. He completed post-graduate coursework in accounting at University of Colorado, Boulder and later obtained real estate agent and broker certifications through the Graduate Real Estate Institute.
Dick's professional career began in 1952 as a cost accountant at Boeing in Wichita, KS. In 1956 he joined Martin Marrieta in Littleton, CO, just as the company was starting to build the Titan missile. In 1962 Martin transferred him to Pasadena, CA as their Chief Accountant there. After a brief stint in 1966 working for a subsidiary in Illinois, Dick and his family returned to California where he served as Overseas Comptroller for ITT Cannon, Europe, responsible for five Cannon companies located in Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany. Dick spent the next stretch of his career living and working between Northern California, Texas and Oregon. Since arriving in Woodburn in 1990, he and his wife became well known as real estate agents and brokers at Woodburn Realtors by Dick and Barb.
Dick was a Woodburn City Councilor from 1994-2000 and again 2008-2012, where he was instrumental in bringing the Woodburn Company Stores (now Woodburn Premium Outlets) to Woodburn. Dick's other volunteer involvements included Colorado Springs JayCees, Denver Stock Show and Rodeo, teaching marketing at SW Oregon Community College, and Oregon AirLifeLine. He was a Lifetime Mason. He loved flying, music, fishing, photography and his animals (especially dogs) and finding fun in all he did.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Barbara (Webb) Pugh of Cascade Park Retirement Community in Woodburn, daughter Sally Jones (Louis) of Rainier, OR, daughter Carol McCoy of Seattle, WA, granddaughter Jessica (Smith) Grandinetti (Jesse) of Buckley, WA, grandson Zachary Smith of Olympia, WA, granddaughter Hailey Smith of Kennewick, WA, grandson Brent McCoy of Tacoma, WA and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are dear ones who have known him as Grandpa since childhood; Kevinn Smith (Karrie) of US Coast Guard and their four children, and Gregg Smith of San Diego, CA. Preceding him in death in 1984 at the age of 22 was their son Richard Andrew (Andy) Pugh of Salem, OR.
A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel, 390 N. 2nd St., Woodburn, OR 97071. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Dick's memory to the Alzheimers' Association of Oregon, by mail, or go to his memorial donation page: http://act.alz.org/goto/Dick_Pugh


In Memory of Richard Pugh from the City of Woodburn.

This week, the City of Woodburn mourns the loss of former Councilman Richard "Dick" Pugh, who passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2019. He was 90.

Early life and career

Dick was born April 15, 1929 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he grew up, went to college and met his lovely wife Barbara whom he married on April 3, 1949.

He began his accounting career at Boeing Wichita as a cost accountant. In 1956 he joined Martin-Marietta in Littleton, CO when the company was just starting to build the Titan missile. The company transferred him in 1962 to Pasadena, CA where he then served as Chief Accountant. After a brief stint in 1966 working for a subsidiary in Illinois, Dick and his family returned to California where he served as the Overseas Comptroller for ITT Cannon Europe, responsible for five Cannon companies located in Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany. Dick spent the next stretch of his career living and working in-between California, Texas and Oregon, with their adventurous lives finally landing them in Woodburn on Halloween 1990.

Life in Woodburn

The new Woodburn residents went on to work for three different real estate firms before opening up their own: Woodburn Realtors by Dick and Barb. During this time, the Pughs really began to engrain themselves in the Woodburn community. Inspired by a desire to see local government that supported local jobs and entrepreneurialism, Dick decided to run for City Council, being elected in 1994. From 1994-2000, and again from 2008-2012, he played a large role in ensuring Woodburn developed into a working city and not one known as just another small suburb off the freeway. Of his many accomplishments, Pugh, along with former Mayor Dick Jennings, were instrumental in bringing the Woodburn Premium Outlets (known as the Woodburn Company Stores prior to 2013) to the City.

"Dick Pugh was passionate about Woodburn and served his Ward and Woodburn extremely well. Dick came to council meetings well prepared, and used his business sense wisely when discussing and voting for issues which affected Woodburn," said former Council President Frank Lonergan. "I served with Dick for several years which was partly a learning phase for me; I always admired his willingness to listen to our citizens and give them ample time on the podium and then follow-up and make sure that someone would respond to their concerns."

Dick is survived by his lovely wife Barb, two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to a large family, Dick leaves behind a long list of friends, co-workers and countless others who were grateful for the relationships forged between them. When asked to reflect on Dick, former Mayor Kathy Figley will tell you he not only had character, but that he was a character. "He referred to himself as Old Man Pugh, OMP for short, and took no offense - in fact, enjoyed it - if his friends did likewise," Figley said. "Those of us who had the chance to get to know Dick a little better wised up to his secret - he was really an old softy! He truly did not have a mean bone in his body, and he had an enormous desire to do the right thing by people in need. He was a genuinely caring person who believed in giving back to his community. Dick lived a long and valuable life. We certainly miss him."

Woodburn City Administrator Scott Derickson began with the City just prior to Dick's 2008 re-election. "I really held Councilor Pugh in high regard. His love of the Woodburn Community was obvious, but even more so he really cared about all people," Derickson said. "Dick was passionate about being a City Councilor, held strong opinions and he liked to debate – a lot, but he never held a grudge against anyone. Dick always wanted the best for Woodburn. He was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need. His work on the Interchange Project and Woodburn's Urban Growth Boundary expansion has left a lasting legacy in Woodburn. Dick will be missed. I'll think about him often."

Services for Dick will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Simon Cornwell Colonial Chapel.