Richard Arden Zobrist

Published 8:16 am Monday, August 13, 2018

Born July 24, 1937 in Scalp Creek, South Dakota (nearest to Fairfax, South Dakota) six weeks premature. Being so early he might not have lived without the time and care from his grandmother. She was a Mid-Wife and took a personal challenge in making sure he lived by giving him around the clock care. It was over 100 degrees that summer and the heat, combined with the constant care are what they attributed to his survival. The conditions provided a natural incubator.

As a volunteer firefighter, Richard was committed to giving back to the community. He received several awards as firefighter of the year in Redmond along with a special commendation from Governor Tom McCall for saving the life of a wounded veteran involved in a horrific car crash on the Santiam Pass in blizzard conditions. It is safe to say he would go to help when others may have not.

In addition to the thousands of “ambulance runs” and fires he was present on, Richard holds the honor with two other members of the Redmond Fire Department as the first three men in the United States to be certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. Richard Zobrist, Lyle Calvert and Paul McCoy each passed their examinations and became the first EMT’s in the country and were honored again by Governor McCall.

Richard was proud of his family both personal and extended. He married Joyce Wareing (Vawter) in 1958 and together they had five sons. In 1984, he met and fell in love with Jean Spahn and spent the last 35 years together.

He is survived by Joyce Vawter and their sons, Donald Zobrist (Elaine) of Farmington, New Mexico; Rod Zobrist (Cindy) of Redmond, Oregon; John Zobrist (Robin) of Woodburn, Oregon; Bob Zobrist (Shauna) of Tualatin, Oregon; and Richard Zobrist (Angie) of Redmond, Oregon. As well as his extended family, Jean Spahn and her son, Ron Spahn (Marcy) of Cottage Grove, Oregon; daughters, Regina Spahn (Mike) of Heppner, Oregon; Renee Spahn (Mike) of Redmond as well as 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A public celebration of life will be held August 25, 2018, at 1:00 pm at the Redmond Grange Hall 707 SW Kalama Ave., Redmond, OR 97756.