After many years & multiple serious health conditions, Richard's body said enough is enough & he passed to his heavenly life on February 2, 2023, He tackled all his health issues head-on with determination & beat the odds repeatedly.

He was born in Silverton OR on August 12, 1944, to Lowell & Mabel Hoblitt. After attending Silverton schools, he enlisted into the Navy at age 17.  He was assigned to the USS Currituck, a seaplane tender. He was assigned to the same ship his entire 4 years in the Navy. He traveled to many locations in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.  He was still in contact with several of his Navy buddies.

After his discharge, he returned to Silverton where he met his future bride Bonnie Cornwell Hoblitt. We were married on March 10, 1967. He attended auto body school & worked most of his working life in the auto body trade as a painter, body repair, heavy truck repair & shop foreman.

In 2003, we were able to fulfill our dream of full time RV living.  We sold everything we owned & took off in our diesel pusher motor home.  We both enjoyed this for 5 years until health issues made traveling too difficult.  We bought our house back in our hometown of Silverton in 2006, which gave us many projects to work on fixing up the house.

Richard was such a talented fabricator, fix anything type of guy that he could do most anything around the house, cars, etc. He had lots of hobbies & interests over the years, photography, fly fishing, fly tying, motorcycles, woodworking, machine shop fabricating, welding, rc car building from scratch & RV camping.  We were fortunate to go on 9 cruises, & many trips to Kauai, Oahu & the Oregon Coast.

He was my husband, partner & best friend for 55 years. It won't be the same without him, but I do find comfort that his pain & suffering are gone.  He was a true fighter to the end.

I want to thank his wonderful medical team that allowed us more time together, Drs Paul Huun, John Strother & staff, Martin Johnson, & Kevin Thompson.

He is survived by wife Bonnie, brother-in-law Dan Cornwell, numerous nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by both his parents, & sisters Linda & Gayle.

At his request there will be no formal service.  His wish would be for everyone to enjoy life, do what makes you happy & have a drink in his memory.

Contributions would be welcomed to Vietnam Veterans of America or The International Myeloma Foundation.

2 Timothy 4.7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith