Richard Verboort

Richard (Dick) Verboort passed away on March 10, 2026, at home, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Theresa Verboort; their six children and partners, James Verboort (Yvonne King), Julianna Verboort (Scott MacHaffie), Rachel Lewis (Darren Lewis), Laura Hancock (Scott Hancock), Camille Verboort (Greg Cowley), Peter Verboort (Merri Verboort), and nine grandchildren. He is preceded by his parents, Wilfred and Marie (Sahlfeld) Verboort, sister Betsy (Verboort) Bochsler, brother William Verboort, father-in-law Homer Ackerman, mother-in-law Ruth (King) Ackerman Padgett..
Born in Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1937, Richard graduated from Mt. Angel Boys Preparatory High School, and then earned a degree in Civil Engineering from St. Martin's College (WA). After graduation, Richard and Theresa were married, and settled in Hillsboro where Richard began his engineering career with the US Soil Conservation Service.
Richard was passionate about his work, reveling in engineering challenges. He enjoyed working outdoors and with folks in the agriculture sector. In 1984 Richard retired from the US Soil Conservation Service and started Verboort Engineering, providing civil engineering and water rights services. His work is spread across the farms, fields, and ponds of the Willamette Valley. He also enjoyed teaching at Portland State University and Portland Community College. Richard eventually sold his business to Stuntzner Engineering in Forest Grove, where he continued to work and mentor young engineers into his early 80s.
A devout Catholic, Richard gave his time, talent, and resources to the church throughout his life. He and Theresa joined St. Matthew's Parish in 1961 and have greatly appreciated participating in the congregation, making many friends and contributing to the church and school in many ways over the decades.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and played many practical jokes on teachers, professors, cousins, colleagues, family and friends, often in cahoots with his cousins and pals. He was a talented, creative woodworker and craftsman, and could repair or remodel just about anything. He built furniture, toys and musical instruments, completed home renovations and repairs, and created artwork and chess boards. One of his most memorable building projects was an amazing three-story fort for his children, who spent many joyful years playing in the fort. He also crafted and donated beautiful crucifixes to St. Matthew's fundraisers. A giving person in many respects, notably Richard donated 15 gallons (!) of blood to the Red Cross during his adult life.
Richard was devoted to his family. A loving father, he'd often take his six kids to "family swim" on Sundays in the summer, sit with his kids at the kitchen table to help with math homework, and drive the kids to and from events and jobs. The family enjoyed frequent camping adventures, traveling with a trailer, two tents, and a canoe that Richard had refurbished. Eventually grandchildren came along, and Richard delighted in spending time with them, making and sanding dozens of wood blocks for play, giving wheel-barrow rides, and playing hide and seek.
When asked how he was doing, Richard's most common reply, with a twinkle in his eye, was "Pretty good for an old fart." Although he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 15 years ago, he never complained nor did he fall into self-pity. He continued to enjoy time with family and friends, humoring us with witty wisecracks until the end. Richard will be deeply missed, and the many memories he created will be forever cherished.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Verboort Engineering Scholarship Fund at St. Martin's University, or donating to the Red Cross in his honor.
To donate to the Verboort Engineering Scholarship Fund, you may contribute on-line

click here

Select Verboort Engineering Endowed Scholarship Fund in the Gift Designation drop-down menu
Or, checks may be mailed to:

John Grossman, Office of Institutional Advancement

St. Martin's University

5000 Abbey Way SE

Lacey, WA 98503-7500