Obituary of Don Dyrhaug
Dyrhaug, Don Nixon 68
Don Nixon Dyrhaug passed away in his home in Portland, Oregon on June 28, 2021.
Don was born in Portland, Oregon, on November 29th, 1952, to Laurence Carr and Marvel Elnora (Nixon) Dyrhaug. He was brother to Heidi, Peter, and Susan.
Don learned to read before kindergarten. In 1961, at age 9, they had him skip a grade in school. One evening, at age 11, frustrated that he didn’t know the capitol of another state, Don stayed up late studying. The next morning, Don was asked if he knew the state capitols and he sleepily replied, “Do you want them alphabetical or the order in which they entered The Union?” At the age of 13, Don Ran away to Idaho where he worked in fields guiding nighttime crop dusters. Because of his blatant intelligence, at Grant High School, his wonderful friends nicknamed him “Prof”.
Don earned his degree from Portland State University in linguistics. He studied the Serbo-Croatian language and toured Yugoslavia in that pursuit.
Following his time at PSU, Don enlisted with the US Air Force. Stationed in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, Don served seven years as a Polish linguist monitoring Soviet military radio communications from a specially modified 707. Don really appreciated his military service.
Following his seven years in the Air Force, he studied Japanese at PSU and the taught ESL in Japan for two years. Don retired out of TriMet where, among his occupations, he was most happy working as a mechanic.
Don was an avid New York Times crossword enthusiast. He was well known and liked in his neighborhood establishments. He always had a strong family involvement. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy, History, and family game nights with homemade tacos.
Don was a big believer in education and he was always willing to help pay for family schooling.
It has been said that Don was “kind to all” He will be remembered for being loving, for his generosity, and his lack of patience for bullying.
Don is predeceased by his parents, Laurence Carr and Marvel Elnora (Nixon) Dyrhaug.
Don is survived by his brother, Peter Dyrhaug; sister, Heidi (Dyrhaug) Stinson (Steve); sister, Susan (Dyrhaug) Ibsen: and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside ceremony with military honors will be held at Willamette National Cemetery where Don will be laid to rest.
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