Tributes: ‘Yogi’ always found the good in others

BAYVIEW – Bayview is mourning the death of Richard “Yogi” Manuel, a man who had a tremendous impact on the community.

Born in 1932, he died Oct. 11. Everything in between was all love for Yogi, who exuded affection for everyone he met, and that feeling was returned with interest. Yogi died nearing his 75th birthday. He had a heart condition that threatened his life several years ago that was handled quite well by installing a pacemaker, until that morning when his heart went into fibrillation and the pacemaker failed to perform.

Yogi for many years owned and operated a logging company in Reedsport, Ore. In later years, he built semitrailers, mostly flatbeds, for over-the-road haulers. His company was Portland Trailer and Equipment.

Yogi had been dating a vivacious young lady who was working at a restaurant at the time, but had trouble committing to marriage. On Dec. 10, 1979, he asked Samitha – “Sam” to her friends – to drive over to Vancouver, Wash., for a parts run. With him, was his secretary. Sam agreed to ride with him. When they got to Vancouver, he headed straight to the courthouse where he announced, “We are going to get a marriage license. Sign the papers, or walk back to Portland.”

Sam says, “It was a very long walk back to Portland. I signed.”

Yogi was decisive and no pushover to anyone, with the possible exception of Sam, and their children. Nor was he ever heard to criticize others. He was a philosopher and believed that most everyone had some good in them. Sometimes he had to look long and hard for that good, but he always seemed to find it.

One afternoon, Yogi shook his head and grinned. “You know,” he said, “My wife is irritated with me today.”

We asked in surprise, what the problem was? It seemed that Yogi had gone into the cattle business, buying two or three beef cows from a friend. Not yet having adequate fencing, they proceeded to amble on over to Sam’s flower garden, whereby they proceeded to eat everything in sight. Yogi thought it was kind of funny. Apparently, Sam didn’t.

But none of those small incidents fazed him. He would just get a sheepish grin on his face and pledge eternal sorrow for his shortcomings. It is doubtful that Sam ever remained angry with him for more that a minute or so, without his smile breaking down her pique.

Yogi hit the newspapers on fishing season for catching the first striped bass ever caught in the Smith River. What they didn’t know, was that he caught it on a “DuPont lure,” also known as dynamite.

Yogi once bought a donkey for Sam, for Mother’s Day. He didn’t stop there. He erected a sign on the fence that said, “Please don’t molest Sam’s Ass.” The children went to school that day, telling everyone, including the teacher about the sign. Sam got an irate call from the principal.

Sam and Yogi lived on Kelso Lake Road and were often seen at the American Legion post in Athol. In fact, the Manuels were well known just about everywhere in Kootenai and Bonner counties. Yogi’s generous nature was legendary. The expression, “He would give you the shirt off his back,” absolutely applied to him.

An overflow crowd paid tribute to Yogi last Sunday, at the Captain’s Wheel, following by a memorial service at the Legion Post 149 in Athol. Both were jam-packed with relatives, and well, just about everyone from the whole area.

Richard “Yogi” Manuel is survived by Samitha, his loving wife, and children, Darrinn, Daniel, Dawnna and Dan-yell.