Richard “Rick” Balhiser, age 63, of Wolf Creek, died November 14th as the result of an accident on I-90 west of Missoula.
Rick was born April 12, 1951 in Great Falls. He grew up on “Smelter Hill” near the Anaconda refinery where his father was a plant superintendent. He graduated from CMR high school in 1969. Rick served honorably in the US Army and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Montana after his military service. He was employed as a locomotive crane operator for the Burlington Northern and recently retired after 34 years with the railroad. He spent the last few years constructing his mountain home and working in his well-tended vegetable gardens. Rick loved the outdoors; fishing, hunting and hiking at every opportunity. He enjoyed nothing more than fly fishing the Prickly Pear in Wolf Creek Canyon. He embodied the very spirit of “Big Sky Country.”
Rick is survived by his former wife, Nancy, and his four siblings: Bob (Patty) Balhiser of Helena, Bill (Harriet) Balhiser of Canon City, CO, Barb (Ed) Fenstermacher of Scottsdale, AZ and Jane Andersch (Jerry) of Murray, UT. Rick also leaves behind nieces and nephews who will all greatly miss their “Uncle Dickie.”
Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 2231.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Rick.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday November 26, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of Rick's Life
Wednesday November 26, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Center
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday November 26, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of Rick's Life
Wednesday November 26, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Center
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Cookie Butts says
Rick was a friendly neighbor, we had many lengthy visits, conversations that were both serious and humorous. He once gave me what he called a sugar pine cone that he picked up on one of his trips to California. We teased him about the additions on his house, liking it to the Winchester Mansion in Calif. Rick will be missed but rest assured, he is with the Lord. God bless you, his family, in this time of need.
Duane & Shirley Fagnan says
Rick was a generous, compassionate, positive and amazing friend.
Always there to lend a hand and exchange thought provoking conversation. More than once he helped us out, weither bringing us gas on Holter Lake Road or taking care of our dogs when we had to go out of town for an extended period of time. They loved him too, we trusted him with our ‘children’, even though he spoiled them rotten.
His house was a verdant, bountiful healing place. The plums he grew were so sweet.
He even made room in his greenhouse to winter my vinca vine that I just couldn’t give up.
He was always there for others and he will be missed, we are heartbroken to lose him.
God Bless you Rick, you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers.
Joseph Almanza says
I knew Rick from working on the rail road very good guy who could really make you laugh great sense of humor RIP buddy
anitasteinerking says
Ive known rick for 20 yrs.we worked on the rr together we dated i got to meet his wonderful family ..Im so sad cause i havent talked to rick in awhile.but we always stayed in touch. I had to call him when i saw john prine in concert.So when u hear john prine i would always think of rick. he loved his music and his special place in wolfcreek.he built his beautiful house he was so proud of and his greenhouse.and the time he showed me the video of the bear in his pond.I will miss him fondly he was so funny he always made me laugh. Its not fair i wanted to go visit him again.god rest ur sole brother I:ll never forget you we have alot of memories.
Cindy Humphrey says
Rick always had time to stop and add cheer to your day. His kind-heart will always be remembered. I’ll miss seeing him pull in to fill up the old truck at the local gas pump. He was the kind of guy that would engage in a conversation with you and could actually hear what you had to say…from the heart. You’ll always be in our hearts my friend.
Cathy Schulte says
Rick, I will miss you coming into the store with your stories and tidbits of trivia and always with a smile. God bless you.
Barry Flynn says
In July, my wife and I stopped off at the cabin in Wolf Creek, but missed Dick. We both send our deepest sympathy. Just seeing the cabin, brought back so many memories of the times we all spent up there on the mountain. Dick will be missed and thought-of often. The warm gentle hands that were so loving restoring the cabin will now be silent but not forgotten. With a prayer, Dick will remain a wonderful memory. While we have never met, to Dicks family our hearts and prayers go out to you. Barry and JoAnn
TOM FURLONG says
I just found out about rick’s passing.I am shocked and saddened! I will miss seeing him in helena for lunch.He was a down to earth simple guy who was always friendly and interesting to talk to.Whenever i pass through wolf creek now i will always think of rick fondly!
Dan Stevens says
Knew Rick for the last 20 + years. In the 80,s and 90,s he would stop by in Missoula on his way to or from Wolf Creek from the rr. Had the privilege of spending time with him in Wolf Creek to do a little fishing or hunting.
One time we were hanging an elk in his garage. He was handling the block & tackle while I was lifting the elk. He told me to lift harder. That,s when we put the holes in his garage ceiling. Elk,s feet were to wide for the hole. He laughed so hard, he let go of the block & tackle which dropped the elk on me. Will miss you and good hunting
Kirk Flynn says
I have many memories from my childhood of Dick. I remember growing up and having holiday dinners at the Balhiser’s home on Smelter Hill. Sledding down the hill in the winter and sleep overs, swimming at he pool, going up to the cabin in Wolf Creek to get the family Christmas tree. Dick was always a part of my childhood. We spent hours hiking up around the cabin in Wolf Creek when our families were there. The quarter we spent attending school at Eastern in Billings was the last time we had spent any quality time together.
There were so many occasions we had gotten into trouble as youngsters. I remember one summer I slept over and we snuck down to the Smelter pool at midnight for a swim and got caught by the guards. Dick always was a fast talker. He got us out of that jam.
I will always have very fond memories of Dick, he will be missed. My condolences to Bob, Bill, Barb and Janie . I am sorry I cannot attend the memorial on Wednesday but will always keep him in my prayers and thoughts.
Kathy Duggan Tesch says
Deepest sympathies for the Balhiser family! Many fond memories of Smelter Hill and high school with Dick!
Judy Griffith says
The world has lost a good, kind, sensitive, intelligent man. Rick will be remembered fondly for his love of nature, his love of the land and all the creatures that he befriended in his beautifully created “nature preserve”. I will especially miss the beautiful photos he shared and the exchange of books and our spirited discussions of them. He was a gentle soul and I wish him peace. My deepest condolences to his family.
anitasteinerking says
Im so sorry that im not going to make it to the service on wed.with the weather.my deepest condolences to the family.i would love to talk to his family.406 2708051 but i understand if they dont..
Denise Villeneuve B says
Bobby, Billy, Barb & Janey, My deepest sympathies for the loss of Dickie. I knew when I read the name Balhiser it had to be the same family from smelter hill that I knew. I had a ton of memories flood back that hadn’t been remembered for a long time. Several years ago I ran into Dickie in a local watering hole in Helena. He promptly told me it was either Richard or Rick now. It was fun catching up with him then. I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend the service. I’m currently mending from a knee replacement surgery. Always remember the happy times.
Tara Brewer (Daughter of Wayne Fite) says
Rick has known me since I was a baby. Since then my family has spent many summers with Rick at his home in Wolf Creek fishing, hunting, cooking, having great conversations and of course he would always put my husband and Dad to work building, fixing or planting. We all enjoyed every minute of it together. Rick is one of my favorite people. His love for life and people was unlike any other person I have known. We are all in shock from hearing this news for the world has lost a beautiful person. They say God takes the prettiest flowers. My condolences to Rick’s family for the loss of their loved one. It is tearing our hearts out to not be able to attend Rick’s services but please know he was loved very much by all of us.
Eric Logan says
I share with all of Rick’s friends and family a deep sense of loss, realizing that his memorable qualities and deeds are now finalized. I spent a lot of time with ‘Dickie’ and his family during grade school and high school years. More recently Rick and I kept in touch by letter and telephone. And he sent me many books that he had enjoyed. In the last decade we got together several times to enjoy outdoor adventures in Montana. Rick enjoyed helping me stay connected to the place where we both grew up. I’m happy to see the names of people I knew from childhood in these thoughts and memories.
Eric Thill says
Wow I was shocked and very saddened by Ricks passing. I worked with him daily on a two man job for 3 years. Working a specialty truck that the railroad has for moving railroad cars for various maintenance projects. Before Rick headed off to his adventure operating that crane in Edmonds,wa. And staying in that little sail boat parked amongst the yachts in the marina. Lol that’s the boat that’s parked in Ricks carport. We worked sometimes around the clock 24/7 even a stretch of 56 days straight over south of Tacoma getting ties out for the production gangs. Well when you work with someone of the same job that long. You get to know them pretty damm well. Ricks stories about early railroading, the army,England,sailing lakes in the area, hunting misadventures,costa rica,fishing just down the road from his place and relationships always made my day. I always got a serious kick out of Rick’s house and it’s many add-on. Plus those goofy bears that use too hang around. Those bears would be 20 yards away and there was Rick fussing with his garden. Anyhow I’m rambling but I’m having time putting my thoughts into words. I’ll just miss visiting my friend. And my thoughts and prayers go with his family.
Paul Tschida says
I remember Rick’s adventurous spirit and ever present smile. One spring in the mid 70’s the Prickley Pear was at flood stage. I had an old raft and mentioned that I wondered what it would like to float down the raging water. Rick said -” Let’s go for it.” We went about 3 miles upstream and began our journey down , We both got tossed out of the raft about a mile down stream, got back in and finished our trip to Wolf Creek. I never would have attempted the adventure without Rick and his confident outlook. Will miss him. Mary and I will pray for Rick and family.
Bruce Clausen says
Dear Balhiser family;
I grew up with “Dickie” in Black Eagle. We played baseball together when younger, and were good friends. We used to ride our bicycles to the Milky Way in Riverview before games to have a burger and a “green river”…..lime juice and 7-up. I used to go visit him on Smelter Hill and we’d play home run derby in the tennis court with a whiffle ball and bat, or go swimming at the Anaconda Company pool for those living on Smelter Hill. He was a good friend, and sorry we lost track of one another as we aged. I graduated at CMR in 1970, a year behind Dickie. My condolences to the family and may he rest in peace. God Bless!!
Bruce Clausen
Punkie Slattum says
What a shock, I had been out to the west coast for a family emergency an attended a retiree’s breakfast when I heard the news. That was just recently (March) I was wondering why Rick hadn’t called. We may not have gotten together often, but usually stayed in touch. I had met Rick when we were getting sober awhile back. We were introduced by the co. counselor, she said that Rick an I might find something in common. And we where off and running, long hours at the ping pong table and talking hunting and fishing. A voracious reader, we where always trading books, or talking about the latest an greatest. I’m truely sorry I missed the service. Rick was a one of a kind, true friend, I’m going to miss him. Prayers and condolences to all. 406-462-5400