Richard Lord Taylor

Richard Taylor, prominent Montana architect, passed away in San Diego, Calif., on March 31, 2006.

He is remembered for the many buildings he designed throughout the state and as a fine gentleman.

Dick was the grandson of the Rev. Thomas and Elizabeth Woodbridge Wickes who came to establish a Presbyterian church in Wickes, which was known as the first town in Montana to have a church before it had a bar. They then established a church in Boulder.

Dick's mother, Mary, was born and raised in Boulder. Dick's father, Dr. William W. Taylor, came to Montana from Kasson, Minn., fell in love with both Mary Wickes and Montana and opened a practice in Whitefish. Three sons, William, Robert and Richard, were born to their union. All three were active in Whitefish High School sports.

Dick graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Architecture in 1942 and went directly into the Navy. He studied Naval Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was stationed at the Boston Navy Yard in shipbuilding. At MIT he met and married Conne MacDougall of Belmont, Mass.

Dick's professional years in architecture were from 1945 to 1985 with his office in Kalispell. His firm, consisting of Richard Taylor, Ray Thon, James Thompson and John Peterson, did many jobs around the state including several jobs in Whitefish, Kalispell, West Glacier, Columbia Falls, Libby, Eureka, Polson, Missoula, many rural schools, and major buildings at the University of Montana in Missoula and Montana State University in Bozeman. They specialized mostly in schools, hospitals, justice facilities, college dormitories, and commercial buildings. They also did plans for houses, about one a year. The firm evolved to the current Architects Design Group.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell, of Rotary, and was the former state president of the American Institute of Architects.

Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years and three children, Linda Woodbridge with her husband, two daughters, and three grandchildren; William Taylor with his wife, their son, and two grandchildren; and Barbara Taylor with her husband.

Dick Taylor will be remembered at memorials, both in Oceanside and this summer in Montana, where many friends, colleagues, and family will be able to attend. And he will always live in the memories of the many people who knew him, respected him, and loved him.