‘Constant champion’: Oregon Senate adopts resolution honoring Bend veterans activist Dick Tobiason for years of service

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to join the House in adopting HCR 202 A, a resolution recognizing retired Lieutenant Colonel Dick Tobiason for his lifetime of service honoring Oregon veterans, Medal of Honor recipients and Gold Star families.

“For years, Dick Tobiason has been a constant champion and driving force for Oregon veterans. He is the truest embodiment of selflessness and humility; the proof isn’t hard to find if you look up and down major highways throughout the U.S.,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), who carried the resolution on the Senate floor.

“I am so grateful to have partnered with Dick, the Oregon veteran community, and many legislators to honor so many veterans in so many ways. Today, I’m glad we could finally recognize Dick for his selfless service.”

Dick Tobiason served 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and Army Master Aviator. He is a Purple Heart recipient and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon retirement from the Army, Tobiason worked as a manager at the NASA Flight Research Program in Washington, D.C.

Tobiason has been a veterans’ advocate in the federal, state, and local legislative process since 2003. His nonprofit organization, “The Bend Heroes Foundation,” helped Oregon adopt laws honoring nearly half a million Oregon veterans serving from World War I to the Iraq War. 

Tobiason led efforts through this foundation to open Central Oregon Veterans Village, a safe rest village that helps homeless veterans move into permanent housing. 

Tobiason also contributed significantly to the passage of House Bill 2010 (2017), designating a portion of United States Highway 20 as the Medal of Honor Highway. Since the passage of House Bill 2010, 12 other states, in partnership with Tobiason, have adopted similar frameworks, collectively creating a memorial highway network that spans the nation and honors Medal of Honor recipients from coast to coast. 

Tobiason led efforts for the passage of House Bill 3452 (2020), designating United States Highway 26 as the POW/MIA Memorial Highway and House Bill 2146 (2023), creating Oregon’s Gold Star Families Memorial Highway, which honors service members who fell in the line of duty and creates places of remembrance for their surviving family members.

He also helped to establish the Purple Heart Trail in 2015 and the Oregon Nisei Veterans World War II Memorial Highway in 2022.