FERGUSON, Richard Eugene

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, May 26, 2013 RICHARD EUGENE FERGUSON 09/10/1948 – 04/10/2013 “Flagstaff has lost one of its most active and beloved Celts. Richard Ferguson valiant fighter, lover of all things Celtic, enthusiastic student of life, spokesperson for the victimized and bullied, beloved friend—lost his eight-year battle with cancer on April 10. From The Independent Celt, Vol. 10, #6, May 2013. Richard Ferguson died in Flagstaff on April 10, 2013, in the company of family and friends, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Wendell, Idaho, to Richard A Ferguson and Anna Elizabeth Bidle, he always considered Arizona home. He proudly served in the US Navy from 1966 to 1972 during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Ranger. In 1990 he started work for the City of Flagstaff in Traffic Engineering, retiring in January 2006. Among many projects, he designed the train engine silhouette sign used to designate Historic Downtown Flagstaff. After retirement he traveled in pursuit of Scottish history and heritage in the United Kingdom and the United States, studying Ghaelic in Scotland, representing Clan Ferguson USA at Scottish Parliament in 2009, and attending Scottish and Celtic festivals throughout the US and the UK. He participated in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Marshal Cimarron & the Oak Creek Gang and Dry Gulch Players, and the Highland Rogues Historic Reenactment group portraying the Scots’ role in English and American history. As a founding member of the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society he was instrumental in getting the annual Northern Arizona Celtic Festival started in 1999. It is now in its 14th year. He established the Scottish American Military Society William C Dunlop Post 2000 in Flagstaff and was a life member of SAMS. Richard was an active member of the American Legion, Northern Arizona Shooting Range Association, and a Regional Vice President of Clan Ferguson Society of North America. His friends knew him as Rick, Eoghan or Fergie, depending upon the activity. He is survived by wife Anna Whorton, sons Gavin Ferguson (Tiffany) and Cabel Whorton (Marvelle), grandchildren Cannon, Keo, Analee, Avram and Kien, and sister and brother-in-law Clara and Vernon Page. His father, mother and sister Joan Taylor predeceased him. A Gathering to celebrate Richard’s life will be held on June 8 at 2:00 pm at the Cochise Ramada, Fort Tuthill County Park. Please come with memories to share. The Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society has established a Ghaelic language study scholarship in Richard’s honor. Donations may be made c/o NACHS, P O Box 187, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.
Posted by Sharla on May 27, 2013

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