Richard Daryl Mendenhall passed away March 26, 2012, from grave complications during heart surgery. Rick, AKA “Mongo”, was a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, a four time recipient of the Purple Heart, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal w/Gold Star and many other meritorious awards too numerous to mention. He was seriously wounded several times during his tours in 1968-1970 as a member of the SOG unit, a top secret unconventional warfare goup made up of approx. 2000 members between 1964-1972. Mongo was a very proud Army Veteran but, due to the highly classified nature of his missions, the government would never acknowledge his presence in Vietnam, making it difficult for him to obtain treatment for medical conditions resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. As well as other issues resulting from his service. Just a few years ago, Mongo visited, and became very involved in, the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Wall. After nearly a lifetime of not being able to talk about, or deal with the war, he was able to begin the healing process. He felt very strongly that, if the wall could reach out and touch him, he would help others with their first visit and help begin the healing process for fellow veterans.
After returning home from ‘Nam he attended Lewis and Clark College, received his Law Degree, and was a criminal lawyer in Clackamas county. Eventually he became very disgruntled with the US legal system, bought a piece of property up in the hills of Molino outside Oregon City and built an off-the-grid house with the many Mother Earth News articles he collected for years. He married and raised four children, with whom he was able to become good friends, as adults, and he took great pride in being influential to each of his children’s successes in life. He later owned an auto electric business in Molalla for many years, before becoming a home contractor and buying and selling homes.
Mongo was the crazy long haired tattooed biker that rode his chopper to high school in the mid to late 60s. After his return from ‘Nam, he pierced his ears, nose and nipples way before it was a fad. He always lived by his own rules, and rode his bike, as his only transportation, for years. He loved to ride and was involved in the politics of biker’s rights. Mongo also owned and operated a website for NW bikers -Harlyfuckindavidson.com.
Mongo was an “old schooler”. He always tried to impart wisdom and knowledge to others, to the best of his ability, and he was never known to back down from right when it presented itself. He always tried to look for the good in the people he met, and help when he could, without asking for a return on his efforts.

Mongo was a good honorable man and will be missed by many…..