Erik Hjalmar East

Erik Hjalmar East was born on January 16, 1945 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon to his father Allan Wallace East and his mother Dr. Marion Reed East. He passed away on April 26, 2025.

Rik was raised in Portland, Oregon, the youngest of three brothers. From the start, Rik loved geography and maps, trains and planes. He attended Chapman Elementary, Benson his freshman year and then Lincoln High School. He decided he wanted to become a meteorologist and attended Oregon State. After he found the math classes too challenging and he ran out of money, he moved back home to Portland and transferred to Portland State. There, on speaking with his professor, he found a perfect fit in Urban Planning and he went on to get his master's at the University of Washington.

Rik served a year as a weapons control system mechanic for the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard which flew the supersonic F-102A Delta Dagger interceptor.

With his master's in Urban Planning, Rik accepted a position in Kansas. He then moved back to Oregon to join Public Transit for the Oregon Department of Transportation. He helped plan and create the Rogue Valley Transportation District, the Oregon Capitol Mall Project, and the Salem passenger train station restoration. He was also the High Speed Rail project manager, working to bring rapid transit service including the Talgo train to the Pacific Northwest, from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia.

After 25 years of planning, Rik retired from ODOT. He kept busy following his favorite team the Oregon Ducks in football, researching and investing in the stock market (he was long time Market Timer, following Bob Brinker's goal of reaching critical mass), daily walks at Minto Brown Park, West Salem High or Orchard Heights Park and riding his Schwinn Airdyne bike. He enjoyed traveling to his favorite place, the Oregon Coast, where he would hunt for agates and trips to Maui to walk the beaches and snorkel with the sea turtles. He was known for always taking the time to identify any "bogeys" flying overhead and tracking the international space station.

In 2008, in the planning phases leading up to their 45th reunion, Rik reconnected with Laurie Bess Shaylor Devoir, with whom Rik had a special relationship back at Lincoln. It didn't take much to reignite their love and they were married at Laurie's Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, Massachusetts on February 28, 2009.

Rik will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and granddad, selfless, and generous with his time and support. He was at all of our games and activities cheering us on from the stands or coaching us from the sidelines. His advice to his grandchildren: aim high!

Rik's family tree lives on in his sons: Marcus East (Amy)-grandkids: Alexis, Aidan, Kellen, and Connor; and Erik Hjalmar East III and his brother Sam East. He was predeceased by his wife Laurie Bess East and his brother Ron East.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donating to Marion Polk County Food Share, Oregon Public Broadcasting, or The Nature Conservancy on his behalf.