Volunteer Richard Hunter Lives His Values

By Shannon Steele

Before the pandemic, Richard Hunter signed up for an AARP class about social media. It was winter but Richard didn’t drive his car. In fact, he doesn’t even own one by choice. He prefers to use other forms of transportation including Bus, Max, Tram, Street Car, Uber and his bike! He got to the meeting across town by walking and taking Tri-Met (bus). He is doing his part to keep the congestion down in the city – and not contribute to climate change. He’s a man who takes issues to heart.

Hunter is a passionate, caring man that wants to make his voice heard to make a difference. One of AARP’s most active volunteers whether it’s helping with an event, lobbying or helping out with zoom meetings, Richard is ready to help out.

An issue near and dear to him is housing, something he’s dealt with much of his life.

A redevelopment boom after World War II created iconic locations in Portland such as the Memorial Coliseum, Interstate-5 and even Emanuel Hospital. But these efforts disproportionately impacted African Americans in North and Northeast Portland disrupting homes, businesses, and most of all lives.

Richard Hunter experienced this firsthand. Born in Portland, Oregon in July of 1953, Richard’s family originally lived at 1808 N. Vancouver Avenue (between N Broadway and Schuyler) where I-5 currently is. His parents were told they had to move so the Oregon Dept. of Transportation could tear down homes to build the interstate freeway.

Richard notes that the Oregon Dept. of Transportation did not take his family or the black community into consideration of how this could affect them. And then it happened again. Several years later, they were told to move again for the city to build a park as part of the Albina Neighborhood Improvement Project. This time the city had community meetings and discussions about the project. Richard said his parents were fortunate enough to buy a home across the street from the park.  All of this taught him an early lesson: Speak up for yourself and others!

He got involved in the community as a young teenager by being a part of his church which his father had founded and lead as pastor. He saw the impact that his father had on people and he wanted to mirror that influence. After being called to preach in 1977, his father/pastor scheduled Richard to preach his first sermon. In July 1978, he was ordained as a minister in his father’s church. Right away he became assistant pastor to his father. His father soon passed away in February 1979 and he was made the senior pastor where he served for 8 years. 

While pastoring, Richard started working with affordable housing in his community and served three years as board chair of Sabin Community Development Corporation as one of its founding members. He also [DJ1]   worked for the Albina Ministerial Alliance’s Community Services Program as a case manager working with homeless families and as a Housing Specialist. This allowed him to connect and to understand his community's needs better.

“Richard enjoys helping others whenever possible.  As a strong community activist and member of the faith-based community he performs acts of kindness regardless of the amount of work involved,” explains Judy Boyer, President of the N/NE Chapter of AARP in Portland.  “He is a valued board member of the N/NE AARP Chapter.”

Through these experiences and others while he lived in Racine, Wisc., Richard learned that he loved helping people and volunteering. He soon connected with AARP Oregon by volunteering and reaching out to different people within his community. He started as an AARP member and learned about all the different events that were held that were open to all. He particularly enjoyed AARP’s Movies for Grown Ups. Richard liked meeting new people by going to many of the AARP events that were held. One thing Richard loves is that most of AARP’s volunteers are also older adults. He says “Everyone is my peer and in my age group." This enables him to garner more knowledge and learn new things every day.

Richard recently started volunteering with the AARP Legislative Advocacy Team, lobbying for AARP Oregon.  Richard said this work has been especially meaningful because he feels he is making a difference in his community by advocating and raising his voice.

“It’s volunteers like Richard Hunter that make AARP Oregon an important voice in the Oregon Legislature – volunteers who know the issues and are willing to speak up about how we can improve the lives of people 50-plus and their families,” said Andrea Meyer, Director of Government Relations for AARP Oregon.

When asked what values Richard holds close, he said “family values.”  He loves his four children and seven grandchildren.  He loves his family heritage so much that since 1989, he has been the ongoing family historian and genealogist for his family lineage. 

Beyond that, he said he loves truth and loves people who tell the truth.  His favorite quote is from Malcolm X. “Truth is truth no matter who tells it."  He said this statement makes him stay accountable to those around him, and those around him accountable to each other.

Shannon Steele is an AARP Communications Intern in Oregon and Montana.

Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation provided by Richard Hunter.