Helena – Richard Lindgren, 84, passed away on Tuesday, July, 23, 2013 of natural causes.
He was born on June 8, 1929, in Helena, Montana and was adopted by Edward A. and Emma Lindgren May 8, 1930. Richard attended many of Helena schools including Saint Helena Cathedral. Richard lived at the Boulder School in Boulder until moving back to Helena in 1984. He then went to work for Helena Industries box plant as a box builder. Richard was a long time resident of the Guardian (Formally Sunset Capital) where he celebrated over 30 years as a resident.
Richard was a local fixture in the downtown area. He could be seen walking and checking out anything new. He particularly liked buildings and their fixtures. As an avid drawer he drew the happenings of our community like many of us would journal. These drawings were complete with time, date and a brief description of the event. Before retiring from Helena Industries, Richard could be seen driving his scooter. It has been told that he drove his scooter as far as Boulder Hill, MacDonald Pass, Head Lane and Grizzly Gulch. He never forgot his friends’ birthdays and had an incredible memory for detail.
Richard enjoyed spending many meals at God’s Love and the Dinner Club of the Rocky Mountain Development Council. Richard touched the lives of all whom he came in contact with. He will be sorely missed by our community. The family would like to thank the wonderful care Richard received by St. Peter Hospital, our medical community and Big Sky Care. Richard was a stellar patient and was fortunate enough to live independently until the last few months of his life.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his cousins; Charles Hill of Gardnerville, Nevada, Edward Hill of Mount Vernon, Iowa Gladstone Hill of Anaheim, California and by his vast community of friends.
Richard’s life will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 29th at Retz Funeral Home with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at Bert and Ernie’s, 361 N. Last Chance Gulch. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to God’s Love, 533 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601 or the Dinner Club of the Rocky Mountain Development Council, 200 S. Cruse Street, Helena, MT 59601. To offer condolences, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday July 29, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
Monday July 29, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Monday July 29, 2013
Bert and Ernie's
361 N. Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday July 29, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
Monday July 29, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Monday July 29, 2013
Bert and Ernie's
361 N. Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT 59601
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maggie robertson says
Richard you graced our lives with your wit and your presence.
Cheyenne Bartelt says
Richard was a man who happened to “adopt” our family. As I look back, I realize how much Richard was apart of our lives growing up. I am not sure if any one realized that when he “adopted” us, that he was getting a family and we were getting a new life long family member. I will miss donut hole trips, writing him letters and only receiving a drawing back, 10 second happy birthday phone calls, or 10 second where is your mother phone calls, 10 second phone call demands “send me a picture of your house, goodbye”, his extremely awkward hugs where he had to take off his glasses & hold my face, generally I will miss Richard’s antics. & I thank the Lord that this man came into our lives, he has taught us so much. Rest in peace Richard and have glorious time drawing heaven <3
Lois Simpson says
I will miss seeing Richard at the Dinner Club each day, and his copies that he needed made. He was an extremely nice man and fortunately, we have one of his great pictures hanging in our building to remember him by. Rest in peace Richard.
Amy Cole says
I will miss Richard dearly.
I remember the first time I met him while caring for a patient at Sunset Capitol. He came in, sat in this person’s reliciner, rolled up his pant legs and crossed his arms. Occasionally he would be drawing, but very rarely had much to say. We bonded after the death of that patient and he was my adopted family while I finished school at Carroll. For our weekly meeting he would come over on Sunday evening for dinner. He never ate his vegetables and always asked for Dr. Pepper. That was over 7 years ago that I left Helena and he always remembered to call on a regular basis, tell me to send him pictures or notes, and ask when I was coming to visit. Every year he asked I send a birthday card with a York pempermint patty. He had name suggestions for my now 2 year old daughter (wanted to call her “Penny”) but asked he just be sent pictures because, “babies cry.” I have his drawings he gave me to remember him by and they are a very sweet memorial. Richard, my dear friend, I will miss you so so much.
Mike and Barbara Grimes says
Richard never missed an open house at Grimes Motors when we were downtown. He took the time to inspect our facility and point out anything loose or missing. He was quite the character and we enjoyed his astuteness. My mom (Joyce Vashro) and I took him to Anaconda once for a ride and he wanted to check out a nursing home over there. We lost sight of him for a few minutes and found him taking apart a bathroom sink. He loved to know how things were put together. We used to take him to a local restaurant that had plaid table clothes. He would get very upset if the squares didn’t line up. He was very particular but that was Richard and there was no changing him. We did enjoy his company and there was never a dull moment. God rest his soul.
Shawna Donaldson says
I was so sorry to learn of Richards passing. He was a regular client here at the Dinner Club, and I was fortunate to know him all the years he came here. I remember how he would sometimes get upset and start hollering. All I would have to do is calmly ask him what was the matter and remind him that it was not o.k. to holler. He would always look me straight in the eye, and reply “o.k., thank you Shawna”. I will miss looking up from praying over my food, to see Richard with his hands folded together, and making the sign of the cross, once I was finished. He was an amazing artist and had beautiful writing that he took such precision in. I stopped into Big Sky Care to visit him after learning he was staying there. When he felt our visit was over, he “dismissed” me by saying good bye, and leaning his head back and closing his eyes. I will always remember Richard, he was a good man, who would bring a smile to my face, and held a special place in my heart.
Sondra Hines says
We will miss Richard’s calls to see if there was an event happening at the Holter Museum and the wonderful drawings he would leave behind after a visit or an event. I’ve been wondering where he has been and was sad to hear he had passed away. He will be missed. He was one of our oldest and most dedicated patrons.
Terry Sather says
I worked at Rocky Mountain Delopment Council for 10 years. Richard used to come in for copies and ask me for a nail file or clippers. I told him I don’t usually carry those to work. I brought him a travel set as a gift. Also, he told me he was always running late as he did not have a clock. So I bought him a clock. He called me several days later and asked me if he could give it away. I told Richard it was a gift and hecould regift it if that is what he wanated to do. I also saw Richard at art exhibits and things going on at the church near his home. He will be missed.