Richard Baldwin 'Rick' Dunlap, 67
Richard Baldwin ‘Rick’ Dunlap, 67
Richard Baldwin "Rick" Dunlap, 67, left us all too soon on Sept. 25, 2013.
The devoted son of the late George and Jean Louise Dunlap was born in Dallas on Sept. 6, 1946.
In 1949, Sun Oil, his father's employer, transferred the family to Calgary, Alberta, where Rick grew up and his parents were to spend the rest of their lives. In high school Rick became a competitive ice skater. He and his skating partner, Marilyn Berry, were nationally ranked ice skating partners in Canada, taking second place in the Junior Ice Dancing Competition at the 1962 Canadian Championships in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 1969, Rick earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Monmouth College in Illinois and an Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1973. After college, Rick worked in the oil business with his father in Calgary.
In 1981, Rick moved to Whitefish and, with four other partners, purchased the Palace Bar in 1982. While enjoying many wonderful years in the bar business, including a later stint tending bar at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, Rick began building many of his lifelong Montana friendships. In 1991, he joined Sterling Title Services, employed as an escrow officer/title agent until his retirement in 2008. He then spent three years in Calgary caring for his aging mother while commuting back and forth to the Flathead Valley.
A sportsman and athlete, Rick was an avid golfer who also enjoyed squash and snow skiing. He was a man of quick wit with a sharp sense of humor. He had a unique, personal collection of sayings and remarks that came to be known as "Ricky-isms" among his close friends. Rick loved sharing inspiring stories and memorable jokes with family and friends, regaling them at the bar or forwarding emails that made everyone laugh. A faithful servant of the Lord with a strong sense of community, he played a leading role in the Kalispell Daybreak Chapter of Rotary International and contributed to several local charity organizations.
Rick is survived and will be missed by his uncle and aunt, Howard and Suzanne Kauffmann, of Atlanta; six cousins, Lane Kauffmann, Kristine K. Hope, Tommy V. Kauffmann, Doug Kauffmann, Sherry Graham and Scott Kauffmann; and several second cousins. He is also survived by a legion of grieving friends on both sides of the border for whom his warmth, kindness, sensitivity and generosity will never be forgotten.
Rick requested cremation upon his death, which has taken place. He also requested his friends gather to celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing. So gather up your favorite Ricky-isms and anecdotes and please join his family and friends at a celebration of Rick's life to be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, in the clubhouse at The Meadows on Four Mile Drive (across from Kidsports by Meadow Vista Loop) in Kalispell. Another celebration for Rick will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Calgary Golf and Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to Faith Covenant Presbyterian Church of Kalispell or Daybreak Rotary of Kalispell.