Missing Bend man found safe, sound in Coos Bay

A 79-year-old Bend man who failed to return home from a trip to Bend’s Old Mill District on Monday morning was found in Coos Bay Tuesday evening, hours after Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies asked the public for help in finding him.

Richard Brownrigg, 79, left his northwest Bend home around 7 a.m. Monday and drove to a business in the Old Mill, and last was seen leaving that location around 8:20 a.m. in his black 2007 Ford F-150 pickup, said sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Eggert.

An extensive search in Deschutes County and alerts to the public had turned up possible sightings from Knott Road on the south end of Bend to the road from Culver to Lake Billy Chinook.

But as it turns out, he was much farther away than that — about 240 miles, or 4 1/2 hours away.

Brownrigg was found in Coos Bay around 5:20 p.m., said sheriff’s Lt. Scott Shelton, Search and Rescue coordinator. He said Brownrigg “was treated for mild dehydration and was grateful for the assistance of local authorities.”

Arrangements were being made for Brownrigg’s return to Bend, Shelton added.

Bronwrigg was said to be driving a black 2007 Ford F-150 with personalized Oregon license plate “RIGGER.” The pickup is lifted, with tinted windows, and has a silver toolbox in the truck bed, Eggert said.

Eggert had said Brownrigg has no immediate medical concerns and is described as being in good physical shape. The family reported he suffers from early dementia and can become confused at times.

The “family also describes Richard as being independent and that he would not ask for help, even in a situation where he may need assistance,” Eggert said in a news release.

Brownrigg has ties to the Bellingham, Wash., and Neskowin, Oregon areas, Eggert said when the public alert was issued. Neskowin is on the north Oregon coast; Coos Bay is three hours, or 135 miles south of that spot.