Richard Louis Togni (1936-2019)
“Richard Louis Togni passed away, surrounded by family, Feb. 16, 2019 following five years of gracefully living with Alzheimer’s.
Dick, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 22, 1936, to Italian immigrants Augusto and Lena Togni. He attended St. Mary’s Boys High School and then went on to the University of Alberta. Following three years of study he was hired by Triad Oil as an Onsite Well Geologist. For the next two years he lived out in the Alberta oil fields.
At age 26 he came, as a transfer student, to the University of Portland where he pursued a new interest and majored in Social Science. He received his BA in 1965. While at UP he met his wife of 52 years, Nathelle (Thelly) Taylor. They married in August 1966. Following five years in the Parkrose School District, they moved to Salem where Dick became the Social Studies Specialist for Salem/Keizer. He received his Master’s of Science in Teaching from Portland State in 1971. Then followed a 13 year career as Vice Principal at Sprague High School. He proudly handed each of his four children their diplomas at their respective graduations.
Dick absolutely loved what he did as an educator for 30 years. His work was validated on the many occasions when former students would thank him for making a difference in their lives and encouraging them to further study at whatever level. Dick was a people person, with a ready smile, great sense of humor and love of life (especially of anything Italian or chocolate!) His retirement years were spent trying to perfect his tennis game, traveling several times to visit relatives in Italy and enjoying trips and river cruises to many other European countries. Time spent with their seven grandsons was a highlight and each boy embraced “Papa” with great affection.
Richard is survived by his wife, Nathelle; children, Dana (Steve) Weiner, Mark (Michelle) Togni, Gregory (Stefanie) Togni, all of Portland and Kristin McIntyre of Salem; grandsons, Benjamin, Jeremy, Augusto “Gus”, Emmett, Oscar, Nathan and Logan; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Luigia; and adopted sister, Gloria Togni.”