RICHARD B. HAS THE PIPE
Richard “Ric” Has the Pipe, 74, passed away on September 8, 2017 in the company of family in Helena, MT. Ric was born to Edgar and Wilma Pipe in Seattle, WA, on April 1, 1943. He grew up in Harlem, MT, and was the finest distance runner ever to perform for Harlem High School. He attended Oklahoma City University where he excelled in sports. Ric was named co-captain of the OSU freshman track team in 1963. He continued to score wins in cross country meets against some of the toughest competition in the southwest and set new scoring records.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and quoted in its article: “Rick (Has The) Pipe: A phenomenal athlete that played football, basketball and ran track for the Harlem Wildcats. He set and broke many track records and won medals on every level. In 1962 he won the 880 meter at State and tied the Montana state 880 record with a time of 1:57.2, which is still the 14th fastest time in the state! Rick was also selected to the East/West Shrine Football Game. Rick received a scholarship to Oklahoma City University where he played basketball and ran track.”
Ric was employed by Anaconda Copper Mining, Kaiser Permanente -Montana City, and Helena Sand and Gravel before retiring in Helena, MT. He had a lifetime of friends and will be remembered for his quick wit. He always had a story or joke to tell and if you had one to tell him, he had a better one.
Ric is survived by his brother, Robert Pipe; son, Bryan Dean Has The Pipe; granddaughter, Winter (Gene) Has The Pipe; grandchildren Jada Hodge, Richard Hodge and Samantha (Mike) Hodge; daughters, Michelle (Gerald) Shaw, Steph (Kathy) Pipe, Christy Spear; great-grandchildren Peyton, Tristin, Janiah, and Gene Jr; families of Johnson, Painter, Parker, Berry, Pipe, Speakthunder, Gray; nieces Georgia Cunningham, Robbin Pipe Neely, Shelly & Cory Pipe and nephew Loren Pipe. Towards the end of his life, Rowena Day was his steadfast caregiver and loyal companion.
He is preceded in death by infant son, Richard Bryan Pipe, Jr.; daughter, Andrea Pipe, parents, Edgar & Wilma Pipe; brother, Ronald Dean; sister, Emily Kay (Pipe) Dolsman; maternal grandparents, Bill and Emily Berry; paternal grandparents, Peter and Sadie Has The Pipe; uncles Essom Berry & William Johnson & son Billy Johnson; aunts Felistis Painter and Katherine Parker.
A wake and Rosary will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the new Fort Belknap Community Center. Traditional Indian funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12th at the new Fort Belknap Community Center. Graveside services will follow the service at the Has The Pipe family plot at the Lodgepole Cemetery of Fort Belknap. A reception will follow the graveside service at the new Fort Belknap Community Center. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ric.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Fort Belknap community center
Fort Belknap , Montana
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Lodgepole Cemetery
Fort Belknap , Montana
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Fort Belknap Community center
Fort Belknap , Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Fort Belknap community center
Fort Belknap , Montana
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Lodgepole Cemetery
Fort Belknap , Montana
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Tuesday September 12, 2017
Fort Belknap Community center
Fort Belknap , Montana
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Gail DeBono says
I knew Ric from the pharmacy. I will truly miss him. He always had a smile for me and made my whole day better.
Trinka Michalson says
My condolences to the Has the Pipe family. I’ve known Rick since he first came to Helena and over the years we had good visits and lots of laughs. I was struck at how well he looked the last time I ran into him. I’m glad we took the time to have a long visit in the grocery store and caught up with each other. RIP and keep em laughing on the other side.
Joe Parker says
The Parker Family sends condolences for our cousin Ric. Your parents welcome you back in their loving arms, Ric.
Medric Buck says
The Buck family sends their condolences for our good friend Ric. We were childhood friends; played basketball & track together in high school. Ric had great sense of humor & will be missed.
Tom Juhl says
RIP my friend, many memories …..
John King says
Rest in peace my friend
Diane Buck says
Oh I am sorry sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Haven’t seen him in many years but always looked forward to seeing him during Memorial Day at the Pink Church. Condolences to his family and my dear Haskell friend Rowena. Hope to see you one of these days. Thank you for standing by Rick for so many years. RIP Rick.
Buttons Berry says
Rest in Peace my cuz. You were one hell of a shot and taught me a few things. Tell Dean and Emmi hi for me. Love you.
Jennifer LaMere says
So sad to hear of Rick’s passing. I will always remember your kindness, and great sense of humor. I have many memories of Rick and his beautiful mother Wilma. Prayers to the Has The Pipe family.
Marion follette says
Fly high my friend tell joelena and Mike I said hello you will be missed but not forgotten
Benjamin Speakthunder says
Cousin Rick , going to miss you Immensely! Thanks for all the kind deeds in life you shared to relatives and friends . You always told me to keep on going in the right direction in life . You left our world the same day as Don Williams our great country Gentle Giant …. The Big man upstairs is going to love you both turning up there in Heaven . Safe Journies and God Bless . Benjamin Speakthunder
Larry Berry says
RIP Dear Cousin Ricky..From the Berrys in NM …..Your were my Dad’s favorite Nephew and were always on his mind.
Lisa Wilson says
Ric was a very special person. He was my elder in every sense of the word. He was there for me after the loss of my dear my mother whom he was very close to as well as her uncles (Lydia Hooper). He was “keeping safe” all of my families’ eagle feathers for the past months while I was getting back on my feet. I began to work full time and lost touch durning the past two months. I don’t know how to locate any of his family members and my heart aches. I can’t sleep at night nor even begin to process the loss of my dear friend and the person that gave me the strength to live again, really on top of not knowing how to reclaim the only inheritance my dear mother could leave me. Please; if anyone can help please contact me. (406)461-7527. I pray for a response.
Thank you
Ida George says
So sad to hear of Ric’s passing. We were classmates, friends and graduated from HS together. My deepest condolences to his family and many friends.
Mike Berry says
Much respects to all that are in morning for the brother that passed away. I been trying to find my relatives from the Berry’s and some of the speakthunder’s over on the Rez fortbelknap in Montana. My grandma is arlene berry and her Brothers names are George speakthunder Billy berry Bob speakthunder. Maybe one of u remember one or two of those names? My names mike berry I’m just trying to reach out to my people. 9718089332 that’s my cell.
Once again my respect to the brother who passed away and my condolences to all of the Family and friends