1932 – 2016

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — Delbert Benjamin Rand Jr. “Junior” passed Wednesday, July 6, in his residence. He was 83.

Junior was born July 21, 1932, in Roxbury to Delbert and Dorothy Rand. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force when he was 18. He proudly served in Korea. He married Frances Welch (of Rumford) and they had a daughter, Pauline (of Brunswick) in 1951 and daughter Barbara in 1953.

He and Frances divorced and Ben moved to Washington. He met Dorothy O’Connor in Spokane while attending Washington State University and they married July 20, 1957. They had six children: Susan, Nancy, Julie, Michael, Sally and Roger.

He met and married Bonnie Hammond and although they divorced, they remained close friends until his death. He was a career salesman, which included the sales of pharmaceuticals, cars, electronic signs, Xerox, machinery and banking. He was particularly proud of his development of the “Tecta Pit” that he sold to protect athletic equipment.

One of the greatest joys in his life were his grandchildren. He had 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Junior had a passion for airplanes. We spent many hours watching planes land and take off at the Portland jetport. He loved air shows and saw many different shows across the United States. He was an avid collector of model airplanes and reading material.

Junior loved fishing. He spent many hours sitting in his boat with various friends and family. He loved to barbecue salmon. He loved to hunt. He would drive out to the coastal range and roam the old logging roads. The deer were pretty safe.

He was an avid reader. He spent many hours on his computer sending friends and family jokes, political viewpoints and human interest stories. He loved testing his skill with computer flight simulators and played word games. He loved to do the crossword, wonder word and the Jumble daily.

Junior loved to drive. He has crossed the United States more times than one could imagine. He so loved to meet new people and discover their stories and tell his. He loved to play the piano and although he had no formal training, he could accompany most singers. He loved to sing oldies songs, show tunes, and sing at church.

Junior spent many hours sitting in his backyard, reading, sleeping and enjoying his garden. He loved his roses, geraniums, marigolds, and wave petunias. He was the neighborhood’s best farmer of tomatoes, peppers and zucchini, always sharing the wealth of his yield with family and friends.

Junior’s faith kept him going since the death of Dorothy in 2007. He knew she was with God and that she supported him every day. He enjoyed going to church daily at St. Pius and then in Woodburn at St. Luke’s when he moved.

Now, he is at peace and Dorothy and Junior are together again.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Barbie; his wife, Dorothy; and his brother, Danny.