Richard Lee Gillaspie
Richard Lee Gillaspie was born on Jan. 14, 1954, to Jack and Betty (Walbrecht) Gillaspie. He passed away on June 6, 2025, at the age of 71, surrounded by his wife and daughter, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.
Rick was born and raised in Corvallis, Ore., graduating Corvallis High School in 1972. He met the love of his life, Sheree, while playing pool in Bend, Ore. The two married a year later on April 4, 1981.
After honeymooning in Alaska, Rick and Sheree decided to move there. They bought a one-bedroom log cabin with no running water and no electricity and both worked as school bus drivers for the local school district. During their time in Alaska, they welcomed their daughter, Kelsey, in 1984.
Rick lived a life rich with adventure and passion. He loved traveling, diving, and especially fishing, which was his greatest joy. He traveled extensively to fish in remarkable places, including Belize, Argentina, Patagonia, Mexico, New Zealand, California, and Montana. Some of his favorite memories were made on South Twin Lake in Oregon, where he fished as a boy with his family, later with his daughter Kelsey, and most recently with his grandchildren, Brita and Levi.
An avid supporter of Oregon State University athletics, Rick was a devoted season ticket holder for football games for many years and never missed a chance to attend the baseball World Series games in Omaha, Neb.
Over their years together, Rick and Sheree made their home in Eugene, Ore.; Chicago, Ill.; Sisters, Ore.; Oracle, Ariz.; and Gardiner, Mont., where they made a multitude of loving friends wherever they went. While they lived in Sisters, Rick served six years as a Fire Corps Volunteer for the Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department. His work with the department meant a lot to him.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry Gillaspie. Those left to share the memories are his wife of 44 years, Sheree; his daughter Kelsey (and Tim) Lawrence; his two grandchildren, Brita and Levi Lawrence; his sister Patty (and Russ) Hescock and their families; and the many beloved friends he made over his lifetime.
A Celebration of Life will be held at FivePine Lodge in Sisters, Ore., on July 30 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Rick’s name to the Yellowstone Native Fish Conservation Program at forever.yellowstone.org/campaign/664882/donate.