Edwin (Ted) Hicks
                                    July 3, 1955-Oct. 25, 2017
                                                          Eugene, Oregon 
 

Ted passed away Oct. 25 after a long illness. His life was shortened, but he had a life full of experiences and adventures and love.

Ted was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, when it was a small city surrounded by countryside -- a wonderful place for Ted to go bike riding and exploring. He enjoyed cycling and backpacking, and later, road trips with his many friends. Ted was still in touch with some of those childhood friends.

Always a leader, a dreamer and an idealist, Ted started up a youth-run art, craft, and leather-work store (Creations Workshop) while still a teen. There he displayed his great photographic talents as well as his leather work.

He was self-taught in all the many arts and disciplines he would endeavor to master. From playing the piano to photography and rock climbing, he became skilled at so many things that we are astounded when recounting them all.

After the high school years, Ted attended and graduated from Menlo Business College, graduating magna cum laude. There he studied economic systems in depth and discovered his love of spirited debate! After working as a skilled machinist and union organizer post college, he took off on a long journey through the west and Mexico with his college girlfriend. They had a wonderful time exploring the old mining towns of the mountains and living on the beaches of Mexico.

After working as an entrepreneur in the coin and metals business he traveled to Russia and Ukraine. There he found his true calling in life, as well as his true love. Ted started and directed a nationwide alcohol-dependency program, modeled on the 12-step program, in Ukraine. He established a program and protocol for treating one of the leading causes of death for men in that country. He oversaw the training of physicians in a program that brought American treatment methods to the aid of Ukrainians.

One of the physicians he met became his loving wife. They married in Ukraine, and when the program was up and running -- after years of on-site work -- Ted, Natalia, and her daughter, Viktoria, all moved back to the U.S. and embarked on an epic RV tour of the country. Ted loved sharing the wonderful and beautiful places of this country with his family. They eventually settled in Eugene, and then Ashland, so that Nata and Vika could both pursue U.S. college educations.

Ted leaves behind his wife, Natalia Hicks; his daughter, Viktoria; mother-in-law Vira; mother, Anne Frederick Hicks of Sacramento; father, Philip Hicks, and his wife, Mary Lou of La Quinta, California; sister, Kirsten Bartlett (Tom); brothers Jim (Nadine) and Brad (JoAnn); step-brother, Lance; as well as nieces and nephews and friends he adored. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his niece, Zoe Bartlett, whom Ted was looking forward to seeing again, to once again be greeted by her loving hugs and enthusiastic calling of his name.