Richard Jarvis “Dick” Munro, age 91, of Helena passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016 in Helena. Richard was born November 14, 1925 in Great Falls, Montana to Everett and Florence (Nelson) Munroe.
He received his education from Dutton Grade School and graduated from Dutton High School in 1943. Dick received his BS Degree from Colorado State University in 1949, where he received his Teachers Certificate in 1954. He continued his education at the University of Montana, receiving a Masters Degree in School for Administrative Leadership.
Richard and Mary Margaret Loch were married November 29, 1946 in Leavenworth, Kansas. To their marriage five children were born, Gregory Scott, Richard Jesse, Jonathan Eugene, Margaret Sue “Marty” and Kathryn Ann.
During his lifetime, Dick had a great career in public service to his country and communities he resided in. He served in the United States Army Air Corps 95th Bomb Group 8th Air Force Tail Gunner B-17 Bomber, and flew 28 missions over Enemy Occupied Europe. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, Colorado Army National Guard, Anti Tank Company 157th Infantry Reg., Advanced Army ROTC, Colorado State University-Honor Graduate, and was a member of Scabbard & Blade-National Military Honorary. Dick served in the U.S. Navy, entered Naval Flight Training June 1949, Advanced Training Fighter Aircraft, and earned his Naval Aviator Wings of gold in 1951. He served in various Anti-Submarine, Electronics Intelligence and Fighter Squadrons. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserve Aviation, and Oklahoma and Montana Army National Guard serving as a fixed wing and rotary wing helicopter pilot. In 1985 Dick retired from military service with 41 years, 2 months and 18 days of active, reserve and National Guard service and over 11,000 hours of military and civilian flight time. He retired with the distinction as a Master Army Aviator.
In Dick’s civilian career, he was a Foreman on the Ponderosa Pine Beetle Control Crew, U.S. Forest Service; Ranger for the Rocky Mountain National Park; this was a seasonal appointment; a Wildlife Conservation Officer; Colorado Fish & Game Dept, MT Dept of Fish and Game, District 4 Information & Education Officer; MT Dept. of Aeronautics, Safety and Education Officer; Educational Specialist (Airplane Pilot) Federal Aviation Administration Academy; then MT Dept. Fish and Game, District 1 Information and Education Officer, and then Chief of Information and Education; and finished his career with U.S. National Park Service, Park Manager.
Dick was a member of the Roman Catholic Faith, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Helena. His hobbies and favorite past times were flying, amateur radio, back country exploration, history, and political science. Dick was a member of the order of Daedalians and other service organizations.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jonathan, Kirkland, WA; brother, Everett H. Munroe, of Helena; sister, Roberta Wills of Kalispell. He is survived by his wife Mary Margaret “Molly” of Helena; sons, Gregory (Barbara) of Missoula, Jesse (Karen) of Missoula; daughters, Margaret Sue (Larry) Floyd of Big Fork, MT, and Kathryn Ann Munro of Flagstaff, AZ; daughter-in-law, Susan Munro of Kirkland, WA; sister, Irene Young of Power, MT; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8th with a Vigil service to follow at 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with full military honors to follow. A reception will follow at the social hall of the church. The burial will be at a later date in Dutton. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dick please visit below. If you would like to honor Dick by making a donation, please send to Nancy Freemantle Treasurer, 95th BG Memorials Foundation P.O. Box 6154 Eureka, CA. 95502, please also remember to mention Dick’s name when making donations.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday December 8, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Cathoic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
4:30 p.m.
Thursday December 8, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1520 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m. to Appx 1:00 p.m.
Friday December 9, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shilrley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Appx 1:15 p.m.
Friday December 9, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Social Center
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday December 8, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Cathoic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
4:30 p.m.
Thursday December 8, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1520 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m. to Appx 1:00 p.m.
Friday December 9, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shilrley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Appx 1:15 p.m.
Friday December 9, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Social Center
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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jay Nettleton says
Marty and Greg, sorry to read about the death of your father.
jay Nettleton says
sounds like he lead a very full life
Denny & Pat Hanenburg says
Marty, Molly and family sending out our thoughts and prayers to you all. Dick lived a full and wonderful life. Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Fred and Vi Pfeiffer says
Molly and family. We were so learn of Dick’s passing. A ham radio friend in Great Falls, he and Molly only lived a block away so I had many opportunities to stop and visit. It was interesting to hear about his life experiences and see the many pictures and plaques on his office wall. After moving to Helena we lost touch with each other, but I will always cherish my visits with Dick and Molly. Your family remains in our prayers.
Ross Cannon says
My deepest sympathy to the Munro family. Dick was a great guy who will be missed.
Steve Sampson says
He was a great man.
Always enjoyed visiting with him when you dropped off the dogs at the kennel.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Jackie
Patricia (Pat) Johnson says
Dick had a great impact on my flying experience. I met him when I was in college and he worked for the Montana Aeronautics Division. I was a member of the Montana State College Student Flying Coop which competed in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association national competition in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in the spring of 1962. Two of our pilots flew our club Cessna 150 and Dick and Eddie Granger, another Aeronautics Division pilot, flew the rest of the team to Oklahoma. I rode to the competition in the plane piloted by Dick. Many years later, in May 2013, I met Dick again when he and Molly attended a presentation of the history of Fish, Wildlife and Parks by Mike Korn. Dick engineered and built some of the early Fish and Game equipment. Although barely acquainted, Dick influenced my life and I am glad to have met him.
Gino Dunfee says
Greg and family: My condolences on the loss of your father.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Taverrite says
Sage and family: Thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely, Sylvia Taverrite
Pete and Yoshiko Frazier says
Molly, Marty and family our thoughts and prayers are with you. We do wish we could be at the service, but are not able to make it up from Buckeye, AZ in time. Know that we are thinking of you.
We cherish the fun times when we shared birthday parties with Dick and Yoshiko on November 14 when you lived in Great Falls, MT. And Yoshiko fondly remembers the trips with Japanese visitors when she was interpreter and Dick was the van driver and joint guide. Dick was a great friend and man and will be missed by many.
Lee & Terry Mongeon says
Dear Molly, Terry and I were saddened to hear of Dicks passing. Upon reading his life’s tory you will have an endless number of wonderful memories of Dick and your lives together.
Our door is always open to you if you should travel to Great Falls. All our love.
Larry Steck says
” For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been, and there you long to return.” Leonardo da Vinci God speed my fellow aviator! Thank you for your service to our country.
Chuck Johnson says
Greg and Marty,
Please accept my condolences over the death of your father. He accomplished a lot during his career for Montana sportsmen and folks who like the outdoors.
Chuck Johnson
Elaine Applin says
Jesse and Karen,
I’m sorry to hear about your Dad. You are in my prayers.
Ed Sheehy says
Molly & family:
I was very saddened to read of Dicks passing. But I’m sure he’s in a much better place now. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. My only thought to pass on is that there is never closure, as some say their is, with another persons death. A loved one is always with you the rest of our lives.
John Philip Garrity says
Molly, Greg and family. You’ll remember the Garrity name from St Thomas & Holy Family in Great Falls. Though you were not there many years, Dick and you, Molly, both made a BIG impression on my parents Al (died 1971) and Jane (died 10/2016) and they remembered and talked about you both the rest of their lives. Greg, you and I were in Scouts together (1950’s??) and are long-time Missoula neighbors. Jean and I, and my siblings who heard of you our whole lives, Maryann & Joe in Great Falls, and Tom in Billings, send our condolences, and as Catholics say, say may Dick forever “Rest in peace”/”Requiescat in pace”.
Carol buerman says
Jess and Karen,
Blessings to you and all your family at this sad time. May the peace and joy of Christmas soon be with you all.
Diane says
Jess and Karen,
I am so sorry to learn that your dad passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May God bless you all.
Diane Pedersen