RICHARD BYRON ROOT, son of Alma Walbrown Molner and Byron Phillip Root, passed away after a short illness at his home on October 3, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Phillips Root, after 40 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughters Katherine and Elizabeth, his grandchildren Joshua and Kaya, and his Aunt Joann Walbrown.

Richard was born on July 25, 1938 in Akron, Ohio.  He graduated from Buchtel High School in 1956, and received his B.A. from the University of Akron majoring in Psychology and Philosophy.  He also took graduate courses at Kent State University, Wayne State University, and Northern Illinois University.  Following his service in the Marine Corps, he enjoyed many groundbreaking accomplishments throughout his lifelong career as a database warehouser and software engineer.  Over the four decades of his career, his work took him to England, Puerto Rico, Australia, and to dozens of cities throughout the United States where he always arrived with curiosity and appreciation for the different cultures and languages.  He was a continuous seeker of knowledge and a voracious reader, always worked to improve his chess and bridge games, and shared with his family his enjoyment of a very broad range of movies. 

Richard will always be remembered for his integrity, generosity, intellect, and love for all animals, most of all his cats.  He will always be loved and is dearly missed.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Oregon Humane Society.