On July 9, 2011, Richard F. Fryhover died of natural causes, with his daughters by his side, at the end of a life well-lived.
Dick loved his family. He was a devoted husband to Marge, his best friend and wife of 57 years, who passed away in November 2008. His heart beat a little faster whenever Marge entered the room, and he often noted how time moved slower since her passing.
He was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on January 18, 1928. He and Marge made Montana their home for more than 50 years.
Dick was the product of a hard scrabble childhood, working as a manual laborer at a young age to provide for his mother. He served our country with honor in the Korean War. He worked in a variety of jobs after he and Marge started raising their family, including guiding and outfitting, retail sales and real estate sales. He had a love affair with the outdoors, fishing and floating Montana’s rivers and streams, and hunting her mountains and meadows.
The only thing Dick enjoyed more than going fishing or hunting with friends, was coming home to family. He delighted in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His chest swelled with pride in their accomplishments, and his eyes teared in their absence.
Two grandchildren and a great-grandchild left us before Dick. He leaves behind his daughters, Denise (Tim) Gleason, Darla (Brad) Newman, and Deah (Bruce) Dunkle; his son, Richard Fryhover; his daughter-in-law, Patricia Norton; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous relatives, friends and neighbors, including his lifelong pal, Dr. Jack McMahon, Sr., and the entire McMahon clan that he regarded as his second family.
Dick expressed his friendship in a way that is underrated now. A handshake or a hug was the only proper greeting. He believed in living life to its fullest, and in retelling the tales around a campfire or coffee table many times over. His word was his bond. He was there for friends and family in good times and in times of need; he considered himself the richest man in the world.
Good things don’t always come to an end. Dick leaves a legacy like the ripples left on the water’s surface by a finely-cast fly. His spirit remains in the lives he has touched. We will keep his memory alive by keeping family first and by being there for our friends and neighbors.
Cremation has occurred and Dick’s ashes will be placed next to his beloved Marge at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A service to celebrate Dick’s life and to retell a few of his tales will be conducted on Wednesday, July 20th at 2:00 p.m., at the First Christian Church, 311 Power, Helena, Montana. In lieu of flowers, Dick would suggest that you take someone you love to lunch. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Alan Christensen says
I have never met Mr. Fryhover, but the obituary you wrote blessed me tremendously. What a beautiful legacy and what a beautiful way to put it into words. Thank-you, you brightened my day.
Betty & John Brewer says
Denise, Tim and family. I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, but apparently he just missed your Mom so much that he needed to be in Heaven with her. I know that you will always remember them both for their love for you,your family & everyone that they met. My prayers for you and your whole family are that God wraps all of you in his arms and eases your pain. You know that your Dad is smiling down on you right now and all he wants to see is that you are smiling right back at him. Again, my prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Love,
John & Betty
Cheryl Hohn Boucher says
Denise and family – I am so sorry about the passing of your father. I know you will miss him greatly but will also have comfort knowing he is with your mom. My prayers are with you all. Cheryl
Debbie Rogge Erving says
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. All of you are truly part of a very special family. I know I have blessed to know you and there are so many you have touched that you will never hear about.
Continue the family traditions.
With Sympathy -much love-
James Moore says
Dick had such a warm personality and kind heart. I will cherish the memories of him teaching me how to tie flies. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family and friends.
Jeff & Linda Kindrick says
We are sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man. We will be out of town the day of the service, but know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
joe moore says
I am saddened to hear of your loss. Dick was always fun to be around. I will miss his insight into outdoors enjoyment.
John and Aggie Frankino says
Nice neighbor,nice friend,a life well lived.Dick was always so proud of all of you. Sorry we can’t be with you on Wednesday we will be out of town.
Kenneth and Susan Moore says
Dick was a wonderful mentor and friend to our son. He taught him about wood-working and fly fishing. We enjoyed our visits to Dick and Marge’s home. They were very dear and beloved friends.
Lynn (Sturn) Campbell says
Dear Darla and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad! May family and friends help you through this hard time. Deepest sympathy, Lynn and Tom Campbell
Mary Anne McMahon says
Dick, Denise, Darla, Deah and families,
Words cannot express how blessed I have been to be part of your family! Your mom and dad, Mr and Mrs. Fry, have inspired me every day of my life to cherish family, live a life of service to others, lead by example, and love deeply! So many treasured summers spent camping and floating with all of you are forever etched in my mind! Your mom made the best food and gave the biggest hugs. I loved those popcorn cakes she made for Tom’s birthday every summer! Your dad taught me to fly fish and whittle along with telling me such great stories by the campfire. He still loved me even though I about ruined a mule sale for him one time! OOPS! Mostly, I am forever thankful for their friendship with my mom and dad along with becoming Grandpa Dick and Grandma Marge to my kids. I love you all so much! Toots
Roxanne Kasselmann says
To the Family of Richard Fryover;
Hello, my name is Roxanne Kasselmann, RN, BSN; I am the nurse at Fort Harrison Veterans Health Administration who cared for your loved one and would like you all to know….I had the great pleasure and life changing experience while taking care of your loved one.
Please allow me to explain; my experience as some of you know was with Hospice of San Diego and I had been away from it for quite sometime, however, it is my field of passion and my gift. Richard brought back all the good feelings and pride and joy that I get when caring for a patient as such. Richard was so peaceful and loving as was his family, how can a hospice nurse not feel your gratefulness. In this I thank all of you. Richard was the instrument God used to change my heart and to leave Fort Harrison. In his last hours God used him. Wow!
The lady who stayed with Richard his final night, was a Blessing in disguise to me. I called her by the wrong name, however, Denise’s husband is aware in whom I speak of. (I believe she was from the McMahon side) This lady is the one who encouraged me to move and full fill Gods Plan for me. She led me to look into researching a hospice she was familiar with in Grand Junction, Colorado. I did as she suggested and was in awe when seeing the hospice house built for that community there. Exactly what I had hoped to have built here in Montana, however, it appears to be a long way off. I want to thank this lady and tell her I may be on my way (ask her to let her friend in Grand Junction please look for meJ). I am in the hiring process now and hope to relocate by September. Please I ask that your family pray for me that Richard’s nurse goes on to serve others in the same fashion as he received, to which I am proud I pulled off in the Government.
God bless you all and never stop celebrating Richards’s life and the wonderful life he brought to others and the strength he had to hold this family together.
Kind Regards,
Roxanne Kasselmann, RN, BSN.
VA FORT HARRISON.
Stephanie Reinig says
Kelsi and family~
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he meant the world to you, and I pray that God will heal your heart. I know you will miss him terribly but try to remember the great times you had with him. Cherish those memories and I pray that one day your sadness will turn into a celebration of his life. I love you and please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Tim & Liz Moore says
Our favorite memory of Dick was an April trip down the Smith River. It snowed the first couple of days and then became quasi reasonable. Dick was game for all of it. His only twinge of regret was when an oar slipped the oarlock and made its way surreptitiously and permanently downstream without us. He was introverted for about a half hour after that but recovered. Dick was one of the finest men we’ve had the opportunity to know; we’ll be thinking of all of you as you go through this next part of the journey. With love, Tim and Liz Moore