Rich Eliason, 58

Rich Eliason, 58, a longtime resident of the Flathead Valley, passed away on June 9, 2017. He lost his battle with cancer after a four-year fight.

Rich would like to thank the oncology and surgery staffs at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. In particular, Dr. Wagner (chemotherapy) and Dr. Sheldon (surgery) and their respective staffs.

Rich loved life and the outdoors. He spent much of his career as a geologist traveling around the world. He managed geologists in Eastern Europe (Slovakia), Canada, and throughout the Western United States. His final assignment was in the remote bush country of the Yukon in Canada. He traveled to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Rich was a devoted hunter and harvested game in South Africa, the Yukon territory of Canada, and the United States. Rich returned to the Yukon in 2013 to complete a solo canoe trip down the Pelly and Yukon rivers. He spent 20 days on the water, covering 500 miles. He also spent a summer sea kayaking in and around Glacier Bay, in southeast Alaska. He loved wooden boats and could often be found wandering the docks at various locations, photographing watercraft.

Rich is survived by his parents, Neil and Carol Eliason from Bigfork, and his siblings Lauri (Mark) Miron, from Billings and John (Alix) Eliason from Spokane; nephews Erik and Patrick Miron and Ian Eliason, and niece Sophia Eliason. Rich thanks his family and his longtime partner Maggie Lander of Ashland, Oregon, for their unwavering support over the past years. He also thanks Maggie’s daughters, Ellyn and Elizabeth Lander, of Ashland, Oregon. Their witty text messages to this Montana geologist were always appreciated when he was tired, and stuck in some international airport.

A private family service will be held.

If desired, donations may be made to the Cancer Support Community of Kalispell or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.