Richard Harold (Dick) Cedergren: January 17, 1931 – September 12 2026

LONGVIEW- Richard Harold (Dick) Cedergren passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026, at St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington. He was born in Longview on January 17, 1931 to Elias and Lucy P. (nee Miller West) Cedergren.

Dick was raised in Longview. In the 8th grade, he was elected president of the student body at Kessler School–an achievement for which he was very proud as he led the Kessler student body in raising enough money to buy a jeep to help with the war effort of World War 2. He was a proud 1949 graduate of R.A. Long High School. He then went on to Lower Columbia Junior College and Washington State College before enlisting in the service. Dick served in the U.S. Army for two years and reached the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1955.

After returning from the service, Dick completed his education at Washington State College, graduating in 1957 from the School of Pharmacy. Dick returned to Longview and worked at Gunderson Rexall before opening Monticello Apothecary and Medical Arts Apothecary. He deeply enjoyed serving the community while running the apothecaries. It was not uncommon for his customers to call him at home to ask him a question or to see if he could meet them at the store to fill a prescription after hours.

In 1962, he married Eleanor Fullerton. They spent nearly 42 years together–raising their two children, traveling to Reno, and, after the kids were grown, eating out every Saturday night. He meticulously took care of her for six years before she lost her battle with cancer in 2004. Dick was fortunate enough to find love again, marrying Madeline Burns in 2015. They have enjoyed the last eleven years together.

Dick was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member and past president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Pullman. He was also a member and past president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Pharmaceutical Association and a member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Longview Country Club.

Dick is survived by his wife, Maddie, of Longview; his daughter, Lorna (Scott) Stuart of Kelso; his grandchildren, Abigail Stuart, Elizabeth (Logan) Speed, and Matthew Stuart; and many nieces and nephews whom he cherished. Also surviving him are Maddie’s daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Jim Sapp, and their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Scott Cedergren; his twin brother, Donald Cedergren, and his older siblings, May Smith, Florence Rowling and Fred West.

A service will be held on Thursday, October 15th at 2:00pm at Steele Chapel in Longview, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Trinity Lutheran Church in Longview, Washington.