Richard Canfield 'Dick' Pancake, 80

Richard Canfield “Dick” Pancake, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was the eighth of eight children of George Washington and Alvina Catherine (Canfield) Pancake, born Aug. 1, 1931, and raised in Malta.  

After serving in the Navy as an aviation electrician’s mate from 1951 to 1955, Dick returned to the family farm north of Wagner, Mont.

In the early ‘60s, Dick was a pioneer in the field of artificial insemination and the breeding of Black Angus cattle. Later in the ‘70s, along with other ranchers in the area, Dick helped develop the Exotics North Association and continued for many years raising and selling club calves throughout the country.

Dick was an avid pilot for approximately 14 years and endured several cross-country flights.  He was a member of the Phillips County Airport Association and acted as chairman for a short period of time.

Dick was a lover of music, primarily the sounds of big band and brass instruments, and was an accomplished trumpet player. He enjoyed the challenges of a friendly, but competitive golf game, peaceful hours fishing the lakes in western Montana, visiting with good friends, good books, guns, and his cat Jake.

Dick embraced life to its fullest, and with a common sense perspective that only friends and family could only appreciate.

Dick is survived by his beloved, Margaret Conley, of Bigfork, and her children, Will Conley and Lisa of Phoenix, and Ann Quarles and Michael of Clarksburg, Md.; his son, Randy Pancake, and Mary, of Redding Calif.; daughters, Rene’ Harrison and Larry of Houston, and Linda Hould and Bruce of Malta; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be in the Malta City Cemetery in Malta.

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.