Richard Oathout
Richard Bruce Oathout, 81, of Lowell, VT died April 16, 2016 at North Country Hospital in Newport City, VT after a lengthy illness.
He was born Sept 9, 1934 at home on Washout Road in Glenville, NY to the late Adelbert Arthur and Dorothea Jorgensen Oathout. He was one of nine children.
Dick attended Rabbit Hollow School, a one-room school house on Washout Road and graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School, class of 1952. He was a veteran of the US Army and received a good conduct medal. He was a self-employed carpet installer until he retired.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Mason Oathout, a son, John M Oathout, a granddaughter, Savanah Oathout and her mother, Leah Erceg and by his step-sons, Bill and Stephen Hull and his step-grandchildren Lynita, Mark, Benjamin, Anastasia, Matthew, Mark, Michael, Melissa, Miles, Chris and Tim. Richard is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Salvato-Wall, Eileen Baker, Maureen (Tom) Young and Carol Beaulac.
Richard was predeceased by a step-son, David Hull, his siblings Dorothy Jean matthews, Theodore, Clifford and Adelburt Oathout and a nephew and a niece, Sherry Harwood and Eric Oathout.
Dick loved to read. It was his passion. He also loved to write and sit and meditate. He saw beauty in rain drops on a window, in a sunrise and a sunset. He wrote " I can sit with a good book and travel anywhere in the world. I can see the sun rise and set in every corner of the world whether it be in England with Winston Churchill or the South Pacific with Gen. Douglas MacArthur in WWII." He also said "I always wanted to go to Alaska but it is okay, I have traveled all through Alaska in the books I read."
About 48 hours before he died, Dick's son, John, other family members as well as some good friends of his, were gathered around his bed. He and a young friend reminisced about certain books they shared, how Dick inspired him to read and that was the fuel that opened doors for the young man to be all he is today. Dick was enjoying this time of reminiscing. He was smiling and interacting. As the room fell quiet, Dick looked from one to another, smiled and said "too bad I can only die once."
A memorial service and interment will be at Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery in Schuylerville, Saratoga County, NY on June 3 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any public library of your choice in memory of Richard B Oathout. Reading was his passion.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home.
1934 - 2016 (81 years)