AGC Mourns SIR Recipient Dick Franzke

Richard Albert Franzke

March 7, 1935–November 27, 2014

Richard Albert Franzke died peacefully at 3:30 pm, Nov. 27, 2014, in Tigard, at the age of 79. Richard is survived by his lifelong companion, E. Marla Franzke; siblings, Mark Richard Franzke of Portland, Jean Marie Foster of Tigard, Robert Marion Franzke of Redding, Calif., and Robert Clark Franzke of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Senta Franzke of Portland; and older brother, A. Allan Franzke of Portland.

Richard was born March 7, 1935, in Lewistown, Mont. He enrolled in the Portland State University engineering program in 1952, where he met his future wife, E. Marla Denton. He later went to Willamette University Law School, making the dean’s list every semester and graduating with honors in 1960 with a B.S./JD. While attending Willamette, he joined the debate team. That team won the National Moot Court Competition in New York City in 1959, beating numerous big-name and Ivy League schools and was deemed the “dream team” of Willamette. Richard won the individual oral argument in New York and was flooded with job offers from east coast firms.

Sticking to his roots, turning down various lucrative offers from the East Coast firms, he was to remain in the Northwest. Richard accepted a position with Stoel Rives in Portland, a construction and design law specialist. He remained with the firm for 47 years and retired as a partner in 2007.

Richard was accomplished as a lawyer as evidenced by many of his awards and recognitions including Marquis Who’s Who in America; the SIR Award from the Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter, and was the only non-contractor to receive the award at that time; authored “A Study of the Construct by Contract Issue,” which resides in the Library of Congress; and served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Reform of Workers’ Compensation.

Richard was a generous, witty and dedicated individual who loved family and friends unconditionally. He was passionate and adored all dogs throughout his life, remembering the names of all. The dogs brought the biggest smiles and happiness to his appearance. Richard requested that no services be held on his behalf, and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Oregon Humane Society.

From one of our chapter members:

Dick was a formidable intellect and logician and one of a kind genius as a construction lawyer and contract negotiator. He was the first non-contractor to be awarded Oregon-Columbia AGC’s SIR Award.

DIck was a big deal at AGC during the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s, and played an important part in AGC’s legislative efforts during that period. He wrote the definitive Study of the Construct By Contract Issue. That effort involved hundreds of hours of Dick’s unbilled time for AGC’s benefit.