Richard Raymond Hensley

Celebrating Life

Richard Raymond Hensley, 56, of Cove, Oregon, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Grande Ronde Hospital. He was hospitalized the day before after a long battle with PTSD. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:00pm at Red Bridge State Park outside of La Grande, 54407 Ukiah-Hilgard Hwy, La Grande, OR 97850. Casual dress is preferred by the family.

Richard was born on March 3, 1969 in Landstuhl, Germany to Richard Cyrus Jr. and Dorothy Irene (Waas) Hensley. Raised in a military family, they frequently moved in the Pacific North West and Germany, until they settled in Hermiston, OR, when he entered High School. Richard was married twice; his first marriage was to Katja Fröehlich; later, he married Astrid (Dietz) Hensley on June 18, 1995. Their son, Tony, was born in December 1987 in Burg Lengenfeld, Germany, while Richard was stationed in Hohenfels. He joined the Army right out of high school, did 3 tours in Germany and was deployed to Croatia. Richard served his Country with Pride and Honor in the United States Army.

Richard was employed by the U.S. Army as a light wheel vehicle mechanic. After he was discharged from the Army, he worked as an Automotive technician and later as a Diesel Mechanic.

During High School he was part of the Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps playing the French Horn and traveling across the US.

Richard enjoyed many hobbies; building engines, hunting, fishing, rodeos, dancing and horseback riding. He also enjoyed soccer, flag football and most outdoor activities.

Richard was part of the ERCA (European Rodeo Cowboy Association) while stationed in Germany, where he met is second wife, Astrid, and he was an Elks member.

Richard is survived by his wife, Astrid Hensley of Cove, OR; his son, Richard A. “Tony” Hensley of La Grande, OR; his siblings, Donna I. Irons (Mike) of Bordman, OR, Kathleen M. Mador (Danny) and Shawn A. Hensley (Michelle) both of Hermiston, OR; 3 nieces and nephews and 3 great-nieces and nephews; Aunts and Uncles, Steve and Kathy Hensley, Dora Williams, Jack and Karin Waas, and Sharon Waas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard “Dick” Cyrus Jr., and Dorthy “Dot” Irene Hensley; paternal grandparents, Richard Cyrus Sr. and Donna Williams (Rymon) Hensley, and his maternal grandparents, Raymond Kelsey and Irene Lavonne (Cunnington) Waas. Obituary courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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