On September 3, 2018, heaven gained a wonderful, hardworking, generous, and king husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.
Born on June 25, 1949, to Albert Poepping and Irene “Marie” LaFromboise, in Helena, Montana. Richard grew up in Helena and later in life would tell many stories about growing up in Helena.
On December 14, 1985, Dick married Barbara Young Richter, in Helena.
At a young age he worked at the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Governor’s Mansion during the Thomas Judge Administration. He did find his perfect niche was working for TWA in Kansas City, Missouri, as an airline mechanic. Unfortunately, TWA was bought out by American Airlines and he was furloughed and moved back to Montana. He was currently working for the Department of Revenue at the time of his death.
He loved flying and had a pilot’s license for many years. He obtained his Airline Mechanics License from Colorado Aero Tech and while going to school, he had perfect attendance.
He loved the outdoors and loved taking the boat to the lake for the weekend. One boat, “Barbie’s Dream” was an old boat which Dick, Barb, and Jerry and Darlene gutted and remodeled. On the weekends you would find them at the Gates of the Mountains where they had a dock space and would spend the weekend out there with their boating friends, fishing and hanging out.
While in Kansas City, Missouri, Dick and Barb, met Hannah Schaffer and her family, when Hannah was a toddler. Dick and Hannah had a special relationship from the moment they met.
He loved gardening, cooking (making the best fried chicken and steaks) and making Almond Roca and fudge for family and friends at Christmas time. He learned the knack for cooking and making Almond Roca from Elsie Jones while working at the Governor’s Mansion. He was quite the story teller, especially telling everyone he was only 39, making his daughter and son his older sister and older brother. HAHA
Dick is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Lynda (fiancé John); son, K.J. (Amanda); step-daughters: Kathy (Steve) Bechen, Debbie Schuetzle, and Roxanne Smith; grandchildren: Treyton, Alexis, Hannah, Brenda, Shawn, Sierra, and Zachary; six great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Carol Nelson; nieces, Jennifer and Shannon; fur babies: Daphne, Duke, Annie, Lily, And Lacey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Marie Poepping; grandparents: Dan and Josephine LaFromboise and Killian and Emma Poepping; sister, Linda Poeppin; brother, Albert Nelson; and step-daughter, Dianna Richter.
A viewing will be held, Thursday, September 13th, from 10:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home, 315 East 6th Ave. Funeral services will be Friday, September 14th, at 11:00 a.m. Retz Funeral Home. Graveside services will immediately follow the funeral service at Forestvale Cemetery. Please join the family for a reception at Anderson Stevenson Wilke social hall, 3750 Montana Ave. Please visit below to give condolences or share a memory of Dick.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday September 13, 2018
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 14, 2018
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Friday September 14, 2018
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday September 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Hall
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday September 13, 2018
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 14, 2018
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Friday September 14, 2018
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday September 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Hall
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Kathleen Broussard says
Lynda and family,
We are so sorry about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Keith, Kathleen and Kory Broussard
Joe Miller says
So sorry about Dick . Dick , Barb & Lynda were so good to my mother , walking with her every morning after my father passed away and bringing us homemade treats for Christmas every year
Grant Hanson says
Dick was truly a friend. He was always offering to help in any way possible. The great fishing parties hikes and overnight camp outs on the water at the Gates of the Mountains will never be forgotten. The care Dick gave to his pets was over the top. He will be missed. Happy Trails…
Shauna Longmire says
Lynda,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember working with your Dad and he was a really great guy.
Gary and Brenda Beste and family says
Barb and Lynda,
We are so sorry to hear about Dick. We met Barb and “Richie” in Broomfield, CO while attending Aircraft A&P School. Richie could be “cranky” when he wanted to be, but would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. We’re going to miss him!! (“Save me a seat, Buddy!!)
Ursula & TA Hain says
Barb
Our Thought and Prayers go out to you. You and Dick were such good friends while in Kansas City, we wish we would have made it up to Montana to visit some time. We would still love to visit with you Barb now that I have retired I could come to visit while TA is working.
Vince from Kansas City says
Barb and Linda
So sorry for your loss.
I was lucky enough to have known Dick for almost 20 years.
He was a great man and a great friend and I will miss him dearly.
I always admired him and looked up to him. He always had a great idea
or good piece of advice. He was the BEST.
Rest In Peace my dear friend.
John Ohs says
So sorry for your loss KJ and Lynda. Sorry I couldn’t be there for the funeral.