Richard Charles Dick Riedel, 59

He arrived on a rainy June morning in 1951, the second child of Mary and Tom Riedel, and they christened him Richard Charles Riedel after each of his grandfathers, but through most of his life he was known to us as Dick. He completed his far-too-short circle of years on June 14, 2010, the same day he was born, on his 59th birthday. Dick died quietly in his sleep of heart failure. Dick was a well-loved son, brother and uncle; a father, grandfather and friend. There was a time he was a daredevil little boy who scribbled on kitchen walls with crayons, chased the cat and teased his sister. In that young rapscallion, few would have seen the kind, easygoing man that emerged, with his special smile and a ready quip. Dick was raised in the Lower Valley, a fourth-generation native. He attended school at St. Matthew s and Flathead High School, and later FVCC. He worked for a time in the non-food department at Buttrey Foods and later retired to take up his real life s work, farming. While working at Buttrey, Dick met his wife, Bonnie, and with her came two of his life s most gracious gifts, his daughter, Melanie, and son, Justin Francis. Though the couple later divorced, Bonnie and her family always had a special place in his heart. Dick was, in the span of his life, a quietly amazing man. He was the quintessential go-to guy. All you needed to do was tell him when and where. He could fabricate anything from a tractor part to a toy chest, and there was never a Chevy he didn t love, and he loved lots of them. Dick was a master gardener, a fisherman and gun enthusiast. One of his pet projects was the sweet corn he grew so proudly in the garden east of his home. He was also a fierce Nascar fan and a lover of animals, particularly his boys, Otis, Dink and Tuffy. If the practical joke could have been an art form, Dick had that perfected. He loved the gatherings with his extended families and the good food, good times and good fellowship with them. He held a place of special reverence for the pies his daughter made him, and his last night was celebrated properly with her famous birthday pie. Dick appreciated so many things " the earth he worked to perfection, the beauty of a sunset, the amazing bits of nature he observed from the seat of a tractor. In recent years, some of the finest things in his life came to him in the form of those who called him Grandpa and Uncle Dick. Dick kept short accounts, and if he carried any grudges, they were known only to him. His sense of humor, charity, integrity and kindness defined his life. Throughout that life, like a deep, quiet river, ran his faith in Christ, seldom spoken, unfailingly lived. Dick is survived by his daughter, Melanie Nelson and her husband, Andy; their children, Adam, Audrey and Grahme; by his sister and friend, Kay Burt; his nephew, Justin Burt and wife, Melanie, and their children, Timothy, Jonathan, Faith, Grace and Benjamin; his nephew, Brandon Burt and wife, Megan, and sons David, Thomas and Kieren; and his niece, Courtenay Dulak. He is survived by friends and extended family, too numerous to mention here, but each immensely loved. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Tom Riedel; and by his son, Justin, in July of 2000. Dick s was a life so many long for, one of quiet satisfaction. He died and went in peace with his fellow man, himself and God, and there are no words deep or wide enough to say how he will be missed. Graveside services for Dick will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bethel Cemetery on North Somers Road. A reception will follow. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Johnson-Gloschat funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made in his name to the Northwest Humane Society, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dick s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Dick s tribute wall.