Obituary
Richard McGuirk Obituary
After saying what needed to be said, Richard William McGuirk, age 56, of Portland, Oregon,
passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife Heather and family. Richard was born
on April 4, 1968 to parents Daniel William McGuirk and Susan “Sue” Ann (Smith) McGuirk in
Whidbey Island, Washington.
Richard’s early years in Portland included attending Holiday School. At around age 9, mom,
sister Molly and Richard moved to Salem where he attended Grant Elementary and later North
Salem High School (class of 1987). In 1980, as an after-school activity, he joined the Boys & Girls
Club and began making life-long friends. Richard honed the skill of “friend making” throughout
his entire life. If the size of a person’s abode in Heaven is based on what is needed to hold all of
their friends, Richard will be living in a mansion.
Sports was always a dominant part of Richard’s life. He found great success in swimming;
competing in the 1988 Para Olympics trials he placed 3 rd . A second-place finish would have
qualified him for the Para Olympic Team. Richard was an important part of his North Salem
High School swim team. Swimming, up to 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, remained a key activity
throughout his life. He credited this activity with maintaining his strength, flexibility and
mobility. Sadly, his first bout of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in 2014 ended this beloved
activity. At Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon and Portland State University in
Portland, Oregon he became an avid football and basketball fan and student of the games. This
is where he discovered his passion for coaching. His Uncle Steve Smith said it was a natural trait
from Richard’s grandfather, Bob Smith who coached high school teams. As he learned the
games and befriended the coaching staffs at both institutions, he found unique ways to add
value and assistance to the programs at both schools. Many coaches and team members are
part of Richard’s large “friend network”.
Richard’s life dreams were: to obtain a college degree; getting a job, which symbolized
recognition of his value; and marriage. God and Richard walked a path together pursuing these
goals. Throughout his life he put God in the lead and learned how to live with God’s will while
using his God-given will, talents and tenacity to achieve his dreams. He graduated from
Chemeketa Community College with an Associate of Arts degree and from Portland State
University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1998. His job never materialized as he had
envisioned, but he held valuable volunteer roles at the Oregon Department of Employment, in
the PSU Viking basketball program and at First Baptist Church in Portland. Richard was always
thankful for these “employment” opportunities where he was valued. On May 25, 2013 God
blessed his third dream with his marriage to the love of his life, Heather Tyson. They found each
other in 2010 and discovered how much they valued each other. Through their marriage, God
helped them beautifully complete one another. They celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary
6 days before his passing.
Richard’s faith in God was his most precious possession. Richard’s faith developed beginning in
the youth program at Salem Alliance Church in Salem, Oregon and was refined with several
years in Bible Study Fellowship in Salem. After moving to Portland to go to Portland State
University, he faithfully opened himself to God’s pursuit at Sunset Presbyterian Church. After
leaving Sunset he found his forever church family at First Baptist Church, Portland, serving the
congregation with all God had prepared for him. He encouraged the congregation in committee
work as well as leading bible studies and a prayer group. Scripture was always Richard’s guide in
pursuing his relationship with God. In building his relationship with people and with God,
Richard always said the relationship was more important than being right. At First Baptist
Richard developed a rich prayer life even before his first encounter with pancreatic cancer. This
continued through the pain and ordeal of removing his pancreas. His daily prayer experience
led to a dedicated Prayer Room at First Baptist Church. This is a cherished outcome in his life.
His biggest accomplishment is his pursuit of his friends and the impact he had on their lives.
Richard was gifted at checking in on his many friends and asking the right questions to examine
where some correction or encouragement might be needed in their thoughts or actions.
Richard was blessed with a mother that would not settle for anything less than a complete life
for her son. She fought and advocated to assure Richard, who was born with cerebral palsy, was
never denied any opportunity. She instilled those attitudes and values in Richard. The result
was a strong, spirited man that expected to be treated with dignity and experienced a complete
life.
Richard is survived by his wife Heather Tyson McGuirk of Portland, sister Molly McGuirk and
husband Shawn Wilson of Keizer, Oregon; step-mother Martha (Teeter) McGuirk of Portland;
loved step-siblings, cousins, nephews, aunts and uncles including Uncle Steve Smith of
Bremerton, Washington and Uncle Robert McGuirk and wife Alvera Ruth Erickson McGuirk of
Portland; people that became Richard’s “chosen” family; and hundreds of friends who love and
cherish Richard.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at First Baptist Church, 909
SW 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. The church entrance is on the corner of SW Taylor and SW
12th Avenue. A Free parking lot is on the corner of SW 12 and SW Salmon.
In lieu of flowers please honor Richard by donating to help Heather manage expenses. Richard
expressed that Heather’s continued care after his passing weighed most heavily on his heart.
Please send donations to:
hmcguirk33@gmail.com
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