Richard Eyman Daniels

Date of birth  - September 28, 1948

Date of death  - June 3, 2023

Richard Daniels and his identical twin brother James Burns Daniels were born September 28, 1948, in Oregon City, Oregon to their parents Donald Emory Daniels and Roberta Barbara (Eyman) Daniels. They joined their four older siblings at home on a small farm between Molalla and Canby, Oregon.

Richard attended Rural Dell Elementary School and Molalla High School from which he graduated in 1967. Afterwards, he attended Mt. Angel College. This is where he met Judy Ann Bartolomeo. On July 18, 1970, they were married in Downey, CA, and moved to Portland, OR where Richard attended Portland State University and graduated in 1974 with a degree in education. He worked briefly as an elementary school teacher, then in hospitality before becoming a travel agent for World Travel, in Portland, where he worked for many years.

Richard and Judy welcomed two daughters: Elizabeth Barbara, born in 1976 and Katherine Rose in 1981. Judy and Richard later divorced. When Richard was living in Portland, he met his partner Kim Smith who lived in Eugene. Later, Richard moved to Eugene where he was employed at the admissions office at the University of Oregon. Richard and Kim were married on September 6, 2014.

Richard was key to the formation of and a founding member of the Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus in 2018. He has sung at the EGMC concerts ever since. Richard had a passion for travel and has been to many countries on almost all continents. A special trip was joining other family members in Germany where sightseeing was combined with visits with former foreign exchange students to Molalla High School. He was very creative in the arts, music and performance. No family gathering was without a beautiful floral bouquet that he designed. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren working on baking, sewing, and kitting projects.

In January, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He faced this adversity with grace and good spirits. In April he flew to New York City with his brother Tom and granddaughter Hadley and saw eight Broadway plays in eight days.

Richard died on June 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his ex-wife Judy, his husband Kim, his daughters Elizabeth Kersens (Ben), Katherine Clark (James), four grandchildren Hadley, Celia, Noel and Alexander, his siblings Joel Daniels (Elaine), Barbara Daniels, Terrance Daniels, Thomas Daniels and James Daniels, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Richard will be greatly missed by his large, extended family and especially by his Eugene friends who have been a huge support to Kim and him.

A celebration of Richard’s life has yet to be planned and scheduled. Donations may be made to the Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus or to The Pete Moore Hospice House.

Arrangements are in the care of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematorium.