Richard Warren Surratt

Richard Warren Surratt

Born Oct. 9, 1940, died Jan. 17, 2016

“Everything will be OK.” This has been the motto of Rick Surratt, his wife Su Hanset, and their loving, extended Surratt/Joy/Hanset family. After several years of dealing with cancer, the man we knew as Papa died peacefully on Jan. 17, 2016. We have lost the kindest, most generous man most of us have ever met.

Rick Surratt was born Oct. 9, 1940, to Russell and Agnes (Sue) Surratt in Long Beach, California. When he was young the family moved to Portland where he attended Washington High School and met his first wife, Sharon Meacham. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1959, the same year they married. They had four daughters together, Susan, Kim, Paula, and Treena, while Rick worked as a diesel mechanic. Even though they later divorced, they maintained a caring relationship.

In 1984, Rick married the love of his life, Su (Joy) Hanset. Rick and Su had been friends for a number of years through the friendship of Rick’s daughters and Su’s four Joy children; Elizabeth, Brady, Ben, and Leah. These two families were destined to be combined into one, and this beautiful “Brady Bunch” has continued the tradition of family first. As grandchildren joined the family, Rick became known as Papa, and Su became Papa Su, not just to their own family, but to many others as well.

Rick’s favorite moments were spent celebrating holidays and birthdays with his family, and no one will ever forget the enormous Christmas, Easter, and summer beach celebrations full of love and laughter. Rick and Su also enjoyed traveling both abroad and throughout the United States, often camping on road trips, hiking and exploring. He loved the Oregon Coast, and he and Su bought a vacation home in Astoria, which allowed Rick to tear down most of it and re-build it as a family retreat with a breathtaking view of the Columbia River.

Although Rick was a mechanic by trade, he was a mechanical genius by inclination. It seemed like he could literally fix anything, and there were comparisons to “MacGyver” from the old TV show. His problem-solving skills were legend, and his family members were not the only ones who benefitted from his abilities. He was the go-to handyman at Augustana Lutheran Church, where he and Su were long-time members. He was always generous about helping friends, neighbors, and even total strangers. Really, all you needed to do was to ask, and he would be there. And sometimes you didn’t even have to ask.

Besides being able to fix things, Rick had a strong creative streak, as well. He loved working with wood, and many of us have a lovely box, chest, cradle, high chair, footstool, rocking horse, or some such other work of craftsmanship that he designed and built with love. He also enjoyed photography and had a wonderful eye for beauty. Golf was another love, and he won a number of tournaments and long-drive awards. He was thrilled when his first hole-in-one came while playing with his four daughters.

Rick lost his beloved sister, Sharon Patzer, almost five years ago, but he is survived by his wife and best friend, Su, brothers, Michael and Terrell Surratt, his daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Ed Kluss; Kim Surratt and Tim Bacon; Paula and Mark Foat; and Treena Surratt, as well as his “bonus” family, Elizabeth and Wade Howlan; Brady and Kathleen Joy; Ben and Kelli Joy;

and Leah and Jeff Johnston He was the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

To those who knew him, Rick will be remembered for his kind, gentle, and loving manner, as well as his razor wit. He was a hard-working, honest employee, a conscientious citizen, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was truly an example of what a good man should be.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 11 am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2610 NE 14th Ave., Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Augustana Foundation at 2710 NE 14th Ave., Portland, OR  97212, or to the Oregon Food Bank.