Richard Thomas Funk, 66

Richard Thomas Funk passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters and wife in Kalispell, on Dec.23, 2019.

Richard was born on Feb. 17, 1953 to Thomas and Phyllis Funk in Kalispell. He was the oldest of three children. He was always searching for a new adventure which kept his mom very busy. He loved the Lord above all else.

He attended schools in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead High School in 1971. From there he attended Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas. He came back to Kalispell and worked for a time in a lumber mill. Rick married his first wife Carleen Erickson in 1974 and they had four children, Adam, Amy, Kimberly and Teri. He joined the Air Force and was later honorably discharged. He came back to Kalispell and worked for the Somers Tie plant running the steam locomotive between Kalispell and Somers, one of which is on display at the museum in Somers. He was active in the local National Guard. He later was honorably discharged from that service.

After the Tie plant closed, Richard decided to attend the University of Montana. He moved his young family to Missoula and became an English major. He also attended the U of M branch in Dillon to become a teacher and librarian. His first teaching job was in southern California. After a year down there, he and his family were very anxious to get back to Montana. He accepted a teaching position in Kila as a Language Arts teacher, drama teacher and school librarian. Rick could finally share stories all day long and made sure his eighth graders could recite their linking verb list. He taught there until 2007.

During this time, Rick was active in the Flathead Sheriff’s Posse, Flathead Search and Rescue, and Marion Quick Response Unit. He became an EMT and taught many CPR/First Aid courses throughout the valley. He also worked during the summers at Sportsman and Ski Haus, all of which made for more stories.

In 1999, he married his second wife, Glenda Schauer, who had two children from a previous marriage. He was very proud of the 20 grandchildren that came from six children.

After his retirement from teaching, he worked as a cook at a hunting camp one fall, worked for Total Lawn Care and spent many hours hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, tying flies and teaching grandchildren these skills. Every episode became a story which he shared verbally and written for the Montana Woman Magazine and The Daily Inter Lake. He compiled many of his stories into a book called Tom’s Tattered Tales.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Phyllis Funk, his first wife, Carleen Erickson Thomas and one granddaughter Ashlee Funk.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Funk, brother, Robin (Renee) Funk, sister, Mary (Eric) Sklany, son, Adam Funk, daughter Amy (Nick) Moody, Kimberly Schexnider, Teri Funk (Manson Dunk), stepdaughter Christina Schauer and stepson Jacob (Patty) Schauer. He is also survived by grandchildren: Mykaila Funk, Te’a, Scott and Matthue Mergenthaler; Bailee, Leilani, Breukelen and Vincent Moody; Kendrew, Dillon, and Terah Schexnider; Tavian Gagne, Adrianna Escobedo, Kaitlynn Shupert, Carter Dunk, Delilah and Aurora Eslick, Serenity Neubert and Jacob and Zoey Schauer. He is also survived by several nieces and a nephew.

The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m.on Dec. 28, 2019 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be at 12:30 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery. A reception to remember Rick will follow at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Flathead County Search and Rescue or charity of your choice.