Richard Maroney, 82
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Richard "Dick" Maroney, 82, who left us on Oct. 31, 2024.
Dick was an extraordinary man. He was kind, hardworking, humble, gentle, and loving with an enormous heart. He embodied integrity and strength of character. His sense of humor was unique, and he was always up for a good joke. He had a ready smile, a strong handshake and seemed to know everyone. He was generous with his time and always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and family.
He grew up in Kalispell and attended Flathead High School where he excelled in track, basketball and football. He won numerous awards and recognitions for each sport, but he excelled in football, his passion. With Dick as their captain, the football team won conference and state championships.
Dick earned a football scholarship to the University of Montana Western. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education. He was inducted into Montana Western Hall of Fame as a player (1985) and as member of 1961 and 1962 conference championship teams (2021). He described his time at UMW as one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He had so much gratitude to the University for all they did for him while he was a student, football player, dorm supervisor and fifth-year football coach.
After graduating from college Dick taught high school for one year in Gold Beach, Oregon. He then moved to Spokane where he taught 33 years at Mead High School. He taught woodshop, cabinetry and architectural drawing. Dick very humbly and quietly inspired and touched the lives of thousands of students for the love of woodworking.
He earned many awards and recognitions over the years for teaching and program development and was well-loved by staff and students, some of whom became his life-long friends.
During his teaching career he married Joan Maroney "Pat," and they had a son, Joe. He adopted her three young children and raised them as his own. He was a patient and caring father and was devoted to his wife, whom he called, "Pumpkin." They were married 52 years until her passing in 2022. They had many adventures together traveling, hiking, fishing and camping.
Community service was important to him. Dick and Pat volunteered for years at places such as Hospice of Spokane, Habitat for Humanity and the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. While retired, Dick continued his passion for woodworking in his shop. Up until last year he built wooden cradles and locomotives for Toys for Tots through Idaho Forest Group and the Sandpoint Lion’s Club. He took particular joy in making toys in the hopes of brightening a child’s Christmas.
Dick was especially fond of dogs, warm cookies from the oven, Gonzaga basketball, ice cream and college football. Most of all, Dick loved his family and showed it through so many selfless and loving acts in good and challenging times. He navigated life and family with grace, humor and consistency. He will be missed by so many.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan "Pat" Maroney; son, Jeff Zemelka; parents, Ruth and Joe Maroney; and brothers, Jack and Wally Maroney.
He is survived by his son, Joe Maroney (Kendra and granddaughter Aleighna), daughter, Denise Maroney (Michael), daughter, Shannon Kelly (granddaughters, Becky and Sarah); granddaughters, (Jeff) Kara, Sarah and Aubrey; numerous nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations please be made to Hospice of Spokane in his name. He requested that there not be a memorial but instead that his family scatter his ashes on two of his favorite rivers where he loved to fish for steelhead.
