Roll Call Tribute

Richard Clay Hanes 

December 10, 1946 - December 5, 2024 

Richard Clay Hanes passed away at home in Springfield, OR on December 5th, 2024. Richard was born to Hazel and O.C. Hanes on December 10, 1946 in Dallas, Texas. Richard’s favorite story was that he and his wife, Sharon, were born in the same hospital within 30 hours of each other with the same doctor. Richard recalled Sharon was the noisy babe in the corner of the nursery.

Richard graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He was elected to the prestigious Sigma Gamma Tau recognizing excellence in the aerospace field. While attending A&M, at that time an all male school, Richard played basketball and would bring the whole team to Sharon’s dorm at the University of Texas for dates.

Richard and Sharon married on September 7, 1968 and were soon off to Southern California where an aerospace job with McDonald Douglas awaited. They loved their time on the beaches especially in Laguna Beach where they lived. However, it was the early 1970s and following your passion was important. Richard’s passion was history instilled by his Grandmother Parker. Richard and Sharon headed north to the University of Oregon where Richard earned his PhD in Anthropology.

Two sons, Aaron and Dustin, completed the family. Richard was a devoted Dad. He was always present for them. They remember jumping from boulder to boulder in Eastern Oregon and throwing balls of every kind in their backyard. He eagerly attended every school event, game, and Dustin’s drumming performances, always providing words of encouragement. Richard exhibited unconditional love for his boys.

Richard’s 36 year career began within the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior. From 1979-2008 Richard steadily and with great care built the Cultural, Paleontological, and Tribal Coordination programs in Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. District Archaeologists within these states consistently praised Richard’s enthusiastic support, generosity with his time, leadership, kindness, fairness, and consistent good humor in the face of many challenges. From 2004 to 2008 Richard led the Culture/Heritage Program for both the Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington and the Sixth District of the U.S. Forest Service. It was unprecedented to work concurrently for two different departments of the Federal Government, Interior and Agriculture. Richard was a pioneer in his profession.

Richard served on many advisory committees both nationally and for the Pacific Northwest. Two he especially enjoyed were the Oregon Trail Sesquicentennial Committee and for 8 years on the Oregon Travel Information Council’s Historic Marker Committee. He served as a member then chairman of the Marker Committee. Family members remember accompanying Richard to dedications of the beautiful historic signs, known as Beaver Boards, throughout Oregon. One summer for fun and interest Richard spent every weekend walking, visiting with landowners, and mapping every foot of the old Barlow Road, the final leg of the Oregon Trail ending in Oregon City. The results were published in the Oregon-California Trails Association’s “Overland Journal” 13(2).

Richard finished his federal career (2008-2012) in Washington D.C. under the administration of President Barack Obama. There he oversaw regulatory compliance on public lands involving archaeology, worked in close coordination with the national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, state and local governments, extensively with American Indian tribes, other federal agencies, the public, and private non-profit organizations. Richard was highly skilled at bringing diverse groups together to reach consensus. Richard had respect for all groups. Richard and Sharon lived during this time across the Potomac in Alexandria, Virginia, first settled in 1695. Richard relished the history and architecture of Old Town Alexandria. He delighted friends with walks and talks along the amazing streets.

Following Federal retirement in 2012, Richard worked with Applied Earth Works, Inc., consulting in regulatory compliance associated with energy, water, and transmission projects in Southern California. Full retirement came in 2020 at the age of 74.

Baseball and gardening were also Richard’s passions. Every year he collected full baseball card sets just as eagerly as he had at age 12. The gardens surrounding his Springfield home were twice chosen by the Eugene Symphony for their Symphony Garden Tour with groups of musicians playing on the patio. Richard loved to wear his shirt that said “Real Men Grow Roses”.

In retirement Richard was not fond of leaving his garden unless Sharon said European travel was at hand. Travel included England, Scandinavia, and 3 times to Paris where they had chosen an area in Le Marais as their own.

Richard loved and was so proud of his grandchildren. He visited with Luke at Boise State several times. He watched all of Jenna’s volleyball games at the University of Michigan on his tiny Iphone 7 screen. He had such fun following 12-year-old Jake with his activities. Sadly Richard will not meet Kai, his grandson expected in March. The circle of life goes on.

Richard is survived by his wife and best friend of 56 years, Sharon, his son Aaron and wife Kara, grandchildren Luke, Jenna, and Jake, his son Dustin and partner Meghan, and much loved puppy Duffy. There is so much to remember, so much to love.

Richard was laid to rest with a private graveside gathering at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the beautiful South hills of Eugene, OR.