It’s the life in his years: Richard R. Fay ’66

After a successful career in the forest products industry, alumnus proves that, post-retirement, his life is just beginning.

“Life isn’t about waiting for storms to pass,” says Richard Fay ’66, a man determined to live his life to its fullest, “it’s about learning to dance in the rain…especially in the Northwest!”

So what brings the East Coast native to West Linn, OR? A 36-year career in the forest products industry, with stops in Kansas City and San Francisco along the way. “My father, whose career was in forest products, suggested I look into the field after college and military service,” says Richard. “My positions in internal finances, with the multitude of mergers and acquisitions in the industry, kept me interested, challenged, and well-traveled.”

Retirement ≠ Resting

Richard retired in 2005, but that doesn’t mean that he’s standing still. Introduced to the sport of cross country skiing in the late 1950s, he has spent the majority of his life in the “powder” – performing, competing, teaching, and, most importantly, enjoying the sport.

“I began cross country skiing across my grandmother’s land in downstate New York, and took up alpine skiing in 1961,” he says. “I continue both to this day. My wife, who is my favorite ski partner, and I have skied all over North America.”

Richard and his wife, Mary, belong to the Teacup Lake Nordic Club, which has been working with the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), helping students get involved in the sport since 2007. “Over the past five years, we’ve worked with groups of students from eight to 18 years old whose eyesight challenges run the spectrum from visually impaired to totally blind,” he says. “The past three years, we’ve involved a dozen high school and junior high students as peer instructors, and the WSSB students and volunteers love the interaction. It’s a real learning experience for everyone.”

Still kicking

As a lifetime athlete, Richard wasn’t content to restrict himself to one sport, Richard took up futbol (soccer) in 1970 after a rugby injury. In 2007, he and some fellow players formally organized the MOJOS FC, an over-50 tournament futbol club. They’ve played throughout the Western United States, Hawaii, British Columbia, and embarked on a 10-day trip to Ostfriesland/Lower Saxony area of Germany in 2009. The MOJOS FC has a pool of 137 players from 22 countries, living in four states and British Columbia. “We’re a social club with a futbol problem,” Richard jokes.

Yet, this men’s league, featuring over-48, over-60, and over-65 divisions spends time and resources fundraising for charitable organizations – American Cancer Society, American Alzheimer’s Foundation, Haitian Earthquake Relief, and Oregon Food Bank, to name just a few. “These are small fundraisers held with big hearts and much enthusiasm,” says Richard.

‘Dancing in the rain’

Richard and Mary have two grown daughters who live in Oregon. But even if they didn’t live nearby, that wouldn’t daunt the older Fays. They are seasoned travelers who look forward to exploring the world. “There are so many history, culture, skiing, and futbol opportunities that we’re willing to experience, and have experienced, all over North America and western Europe,” says Richard. “Our futbol trip to Germany is one we’ll always remember fondly. Their warm hospitality was unlike any of us experienced. We still keep in touch with our German hosts.”

As for keeping busy at home, the Fays plan to continue their work with WSSB. “We learn more from the WSSB skiers and students about determination, perseverance, happiness, and life in general than they do from us,” says Richard. “We’re privileged to be able to enrich these students through our teaching. There is such a thing as having a fulfilling life after work.”