Gardiner-Richard A. Ekelund, 73, passed away at Bay Area Hospital on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Per his wishes no services will be held. Dick was born on January 4, 1947 in Aitkin, Minnesota to Clifford and EllenMarie Ekelund, he was the second son to Cliff and Ellen. In 1964 he moved to Oregon with his good friend Glenn Mackey, he eventually went back to Minnesota in 1968 to marry Shirley Johnson and he brought her back to Reedsport, Oregon.

He spent his working career with International Paper, in Gardiner, and retired in 1998 as a Chip Pile Foreman. He loved watching his two boys play high school football, camping, clam digging, fishing, and walking with his good friends.

Dick is survived by his sons; Kurt and Chad, one brother Cliff, and one sister Joanne. Kurt's wife Lisa and Chad's wife Jennifer along with Chad's son Cody and Chad and Jen's daughter Morgan.