Richard "Rj" Jon

Lortscher

Richard Jon "RJ" Lortscher, 52, passed away at his home in Brookings, Ore. on June 21, 2012 after a heroic fight with lung cancer. Richard was born January 28, 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest of three sons to Kenneth and Norma Jean (Jackson) Lortscher. He spent his early years in California and then moved to Kansas where he was cared for by his beloved grandmother: Josephine Jackson. Some of his most treasured memories are the times spent with her. He has lived the past 9 years in Brookings, Ore. with his lifelong love, wife Shirley and their son, CJ. Richard attended Beloit Vo-Tech and was a certified GM mechanic. He also worked for many years in the horse trailer manufacturing field. He loved working on cars and was very proud of building stock cars and racing them in demolition derbies, endurance races and Saturday night racing at Beatrice Speedway in Nebraska. He also loved music and playing his guitars. Richard's proudest accomplishment, though, is his 17 year-old son, Conner. Richard is survived by his wife, Shirley Norland Lortscher and son, CJ, both of Brookings; brother, Robert L. Lortscher and his wife, Elaine of Gold Beach, Ore.; niece, Elizabeth of Gold Beach, Ore.; and brother, Ronald D. Lortscher and his wife, Gail of Manhattan, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, c/o Redwood Memorial Chapel, 1020 Fifield St., Brookings, OR 97415. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Redwood Memorial Chapel, 1020 Fifield St. in Brookings. A graveside service will be at a later date in Kansas.