Obituary of Richard James Ydstie

Richard Ydstie was born the youngest of six children. His father worked in the train station as one of the first telegraphers for Western Union. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in Moorhead State Teacher’s College in 1946, and soon after he was drafted by the Army to work in the Pentagon. After WWII, he continued his education at Minneapolis College of Music, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In 1951 he began his career as music teacher in Wolverton, MN; that same year he married North Dakota native Arlene Buckenberg. In 1953 Richard and Arlene moved to Minot , ND, where Richard directed choir at Dakota Lutheran Academy. Four years and two sons later he brought his teaching skills and growing family to Reedsport, Oregon, where he developed a life-long love of the Oregon coast. He attended courses through the Haystack/PSU summer school program in Cannon Beach. He next moved his family to Washington and worked for the Richland Public School District where he retired 28 years later. Richard extended his talent and time to the arts. As a self-taught painter he became a member of the Allied Arts in Richland during the 1960s, producing many note-worthy works. He participated widely in community plays, directing and acting in various Light Opera productions and directing the choir of Richland Lutheran Church. After he retired, he and Arlene moved to Seaside, Oregon where he revised and directed the church choir at Our Savior’s Lutheran. He spent his final years living in the Portland area, volunteering and donating generously through various ministry to those on the streets and in need. Richard is survived by his wife, Arlene Ydstie, and by his sons Paul, James & Robert Ydstie, and daughters Catherine Cleppe and Elizabeth Adee. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Oli & Ella Randi (Egge) Ydstie, his brothers Robert, Neil & Earl Ydstie, and by his sisters Jewel Mae Jones and Margaret Ann Heggens. A Memorial Service for Richard will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 320 First Avenue, Seaside, OR on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012. Arrangements by Crown Memorial Center - Tualatin