Beloved Richard Jahn Bulfinch ("Dick") passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife Shirley by his side August 20, 2022, after struggling with Parkinson's Disease for several years. He was age 81. He is survived by his wife Shirley, children Lori, Rob, Michelle, John, & Mark; plus, 8 grandchildren & 4 great --grandchildren.

He was the only child of Leonard & Leah Bulfinch in Connecticut, raised there through pre-school years; then, family moved to Arizona briefly, before settling in South Pasadena, CA, where, sadly, his father passed away suddenly when Dick was age 11. His amazing & capable Mother continued to raise Dick - encouraging him in the outdoors … local playground, beach, Boy Scouts, hunting, & sports, ensuring that he continue on in baseball youth sports programs in which his father was integral in cultivating in their neighborhood years leading up to his death; Dick's baseball team won Regionals that year for which Dick was proud. After his father passed away, Dick tried his best to take responsibility for his own expenses by taking on a huge paper route & later washing dishes in a local restaurant to relieve his mother of some of her burden of raising him by herself even though she worked fulltime in an administrative position for a large company. Being a warm, engaging, & outdoorsy person herself, Dick's Mother spent many evenings & weekends piling he & friends into her car & traveling near & far.

Dick maintained close & highly valued South Pasadena High School friendships & recounted many favorite memories with many of them throughout his life.

Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, was the next chapter in his life, education, & close friendships. Of course, many fun stories were generated there among his AZ Fraternity friends . . . stories fondly repeated - bringing more grins upon each re-telling!

At Pacific University, he met & married Cathy Bader, & then soon after briefly attended Portland State University. They eventually became parents of three wonderful children. It was during these years that he began his 37 year career at Carolina Biological Supply in Gladstone, OR. Several years later, he became a divorced father raising his two young sons & ensuring that, during vacations & summers, etc, his daughter joined his household.

In following years, it was learned from his boss Mike Tunnicliffe, that Dick became 'extra willing' to take the weekly business deposits to the bank … at that time it was First National Bank on Main St in Oregon City… where Shirley was working as their vault teller. As she processed the weekly business deposits, he & Shirley would trade stories about each of their little kids' escapades from the weekend before - since she was also divorced raising her two adorable little ones of similar ages. On Fridays Dick soon began to hide a white Muno's Bakery sack behind his back - filled with a chocolate éclair- which he'd give her as she gave him his deposit receipt. The rest is history … they began dating 50 yrs ago & had been married 48 ½ yrs until he passed away … still truly in love as they will be forever.

He retired from Carolina Biological Supply after 37 years, most recently as Regional Sales Manager. She retired from same bank … now called Wells Fargo Bank … after 33+ years, most recently as Personal Banking Officer.

By all accounts, Dick was a hard-working, kind, quietly outgoing, engaging, fun, poker-playing, sports-minded, loving husband & family man who truly thought of many of his closest friends in Oregon, California, Utah, & Arizona as his extended family. He was quick to smile …yet had a 'backbone' & vision that directed his integrity in executing his coaching duties, choosing his friends, handling his private matters, & in conducting his family life. He led by example, emulated the best that he gleaned from his parents & his many friends, rarely complained, & was self-deprecating … even as he struggled these last few years with his disease.

Through to the end as he struggled with his disease, Dick's sense of humor lightened his outlook on his daily life, &, in so doing, made each of his last days less burdensome for him; it's that light-heartedness that stemmed from decades of fun gatherings for which his Pacific Univ friends & their extended group specifically deserve huge credit.

Dick drew a hard line against flying in an airplane but was never short of alternative travel plans with fun road trips, cruises, & by train with family & friends … & had a great time doing it!

He'd want to be remembered as a valued & loving Dad, loving husband, & valued friend who's respected for his integrity along with his good - natured sense of fun.