Richard (Ric) Kenneth Tenneson Jr. was 58 years old at his passing in Helena, Montana, on September 18, 2014 at 2:25am. For two years he battled cancer.
Born in Helena, Montana on July 18th 1956, to parents Richard Tenneson and Mary Lee Tenneson, he grew up with his sister and brother, Barbie Bowers and JT Tenneson. He attended Lake Oswego High School and graduated in 1985 with a BS degree in Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. In his time at OSU Ric was the student body Vice President and served as the Associate General Contractor’s student chapter President. Also, during this time Ric met and married the love of his life, Alison Tenneson in 1982.
Ric and Alison moved to California and then to Eugene, Oregon where they had their first daughter, Rachael in 1990. During this time Ric started his own construction business, GT Contractors Inc and became more involved with his family’s business Leupold & Stevens (L&S). He has been a director at L&S since 2003 and was instrumental in shaping the future direction of the company.
After the birth of their second daughter, Hannah in 1997, Ric and Alison moved to Sisters, Oregon where they developed deep friendships in the community.
In 2008, Ric moved to Helena Montana where he was a co-owner of Tri-County Mechanical & Electical. He was a board member for Northwest Sheet Metals and SMACNA, which are union supporting organizations.
Ric was a builder at heart. From the construction of multiple houses and shops in Central Oregon and Montana, to his passion for clay arts, to the inclusion of multiple children into his family including: Neeka Rhodes, Allie Rhodes, and Micah Rhodes. Ric was an amazing teacher. He included as many people as possible on his boat to teach them surfing, wakeboarding, and how to drive. He would spend as much time as needed to help others learn how to play hearts, how to throw a clay pot, and do any construction job properly.
Ric leaves a legacy for his wife and children, and are survived by Alison Tenneson(wife), Rachael Hillis(daughter), Hannah Tenneson(daughter), Neeka Rhodes(daughter), Allie Rhodes(daughter), and Jonathan Hillis (son-in-law). He is survived on his own side of the family by Richard Tenneson(father), Nancy Tenneson(stepmother), JT Tenneson (brother), Barbie Bower(sister). He is survived also by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Richard Kenneth Tenneson Jr. will be cremated and his ashes spread in his and other’s favorite and most memorable places. In celebration and memory of Ric’s life, there will be a memorial service held at 2pm September 21st at 4922 Lakehome Rd. Helena, MT 59602.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Clay Arts Guild of Helena: 3025 Bozeman Ave., Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Sunday September 21, 2014
4922 Lakehome Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rita Tenneson says
Too soon the world has lost an amazing, warm and loving young man. He will be sadly missed but I am sure he is with his mother, and family gone before him, in a better place. My heart goes out to all of you at this extremely sad time. May all the wonderful and happy times you shared together bring comfort in the days ahead. Love and hugs. Rita Tenneson
Kathy Connors says
His mother, the former Mary Lee Connors, of Helena, who loved him so much, predeceased Ric in 2012
deb stansberry crum says
Ric was truly an amazing guy. Not once when he came in to my work to pick up his prescriptions did he ever complain. It was always “hey cuz hows it going”, what a guy, His eyes always twinkled, no matter what. He will and is deeply missed. He leaves behind a legacy of love and life.. God speed Ric, …………….love ya, cousin deb
Deborah Halsten says
I’m so very sorry to hear this news of Ric’s passing. I will never forget him being on our school’s trip to Washington DC along with Alison and Rachael. He was such fun to be with and brought so much life to anywhere he happened to be. Praying for the family.
Bob and Diane Elder says
We will miss Ric..he was a good friend. We considered he and his dear wife and daughters as part of our family. Thanks Ric for your thoughtfulness, kindness and caring personality. You are a good man.
Grady Brown says
I first met Ric and his family when we became adjacent property owners in Sisters. His generosity and uplifting attitude is something one does not forget. Always helpful, always cheerful, really just one of the best individuals I have ever known. You touched many lives and will be sorely missed Ric.
Eric Hall says
Hearing of Ric’s passing was a jolt to me and a stark reminder of temporalness of live. One of Ric’s greatest virtues was his ability to squeeze every morsel out of life, and yet to never make you feel rushed, like his time with you really was the most important thing he had to do that day. I will miss that, his always present humor, and his humongous heart. Let’r buck.
Denise Hill says
I’m so sorry Allison. Cameron truly loved and respected Ric. I appreciate the impact Ric had on Cameron’s life when he worked with him in Sisters, Oregon. Ric was a good man and he will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Denise Hill
Randy Shaver says
My goodness. I didn’t think that a man so vibrant and kind would be taken so early. He is now in the hands of the Lord, who will certainly welcome him into heaven. I met Ric several years ago through a business relationship where he chose to purchase machinery in Portland. He was a man who I was always happy and pleased to see. He always made me smile and feel good to be around, I am so sad at his passing for those reasons and extremely sad for his family and close loved ones. Great man taken too early,
robert barnett says
I worked for this man on a private project at his home in sisters Oregon.he treated me with style and grace .we went out on the lake and played in his speedboat and had a bbq picnic.sorry to learn of his passing.robert