Richard Charles Anderson was born November 3, 1943 in Kalispell, MT to Robert H and Jean R Anderson.
He traded his four-wheeler in for angel wings on July 31, 2020. He was the oldest of his three other siblings. The family lived in St. Ignatius until Rick was 10, then moved to Helena. He always said, “you could take the boy off the farm, but you could never take the farm out of the boy. He visited and worked on the farm several summers.
Rick graduated from Helena High in 1962. He served four years, honorable, in the Air Force. While in Anchorage, Alaska, he was in the 1964 earthquake that had a magnitude of 9.2. From there, he drove, by himself, to Tok Junction, Alaska down the Alcon Highway at 65 degrees below 0, to Helena which was approximately 1500 miles of dirt road. He took his leave, then continued down to Tampa, Florida, but found himself in the middle of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Rick continued on to Tampa and was deployed to the Philippines and then Viet Nam.
Upon returning from the service, he went to work in Helena at several different jobs. He met his first wife, Janice, and was blessed with two sons, David C and Robert G Anderson and stepdaughter, Christina. A truck driving job took him and his family to Post Falls, Idaho and later they were divorced.
He returned to Helena, and continued his truck driving career, where he later met his current wife, Tammy. They were blessed with two children, Michelle E and Loren W Anderson. Rick had an opportunity to purchase his own semitruck and shop. Rick was proud to have driven over 3 million miles in his driving career with zero accidents. He retired in 2006 and continued on with his adventures of four wheeling, camping, hunting, fishing and hiking. In a very conservative estimation, he put on at least 15,000 miles on his four wheelers. He was a member of CTVA (Capital Trail Vehicle Association) and First Lutheran Church.
A year and a half ago, he was diagnosed with Cholangial Carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. To the end, Rick knew he could beat it, but God had His own plans.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Jean Anderson, and in laws, Harry Bahny and Marie Bahny. He is survived by his wife, Tammy, children, David, Post Falls, ID, Robert (Laura) Post Falls, ID, Michelle and Loren, Helena, granddaughter Olivia Post Falls, ID, brother William (Marie) Helena, Robert (Mona) Riverton, WY, Janice (Doug) Harris, Colorado Springs, CO and many nieces, nephews, in laws and friends.
Words cannot express how much we wish to thank you for the exceptional care that Rick received the last year and a half at the VA Medical Center Fort Harrison.
A memorial service celebrating Rick’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th at First Lutheran Church, 2231 Broadway Court. A reception will follow from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the family home. Donations in Richard’s name may be made to Voluntary Services, Fort Harrison VA, Medical Center Care of: Voluntary Services, 3687 Veteran’s Drive, PO Box 1500, Fort Harrison, MT 59636-1500.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:30 am
Saturday August 8, 2020
First Lutheran Church
2231 Broadway Ave.
Helena , Montana 59601
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Betty Brewer says
Tammy I am so sorry to hear of Ricks passing. He was an amazing man and love you all so much. Sending healing hugs and prayers to all. Love you sweetie
Lisa Wordal says
Tammy I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was always such a hard worker and it sounds like he played just as hard. I am blessed to have known him. I have always loved you as a sister in the Lord and I treasured our “visits”.You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kimberly French-Sattler says
Michelle & Family,
My deepest condolences to you all! Michelle, I know how much your Dad ment to you; I’m deeply sadded he didn’t win this battle. We were all praying for the best outcome, Though I didn’t know Rick personally, I know he was a good man, father and husband, from how much Michelle spoke of him. ♥ May he rest in Peace & finally pain free. Until you all meet again, always remember the good times & happy memories! Love you, Michelle!
Mary Ann Gregory says
Tammy. I will sorely miss seeing Rick in church, but we all know he’s in heaven – happy and praising the Lord. We all were blessed with his humor. It is a blessing that Rick was a faithful Christian, husband and father. No greater gift then that. My prayers are for you and your family.
Bill Clarkson says
Sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Our family and the Andersons lived on the same block of 8th Ave when we were young. Sort of lost track of Rick (as well as Bill, Bob and Janet) over the years. I phoned him in 2012 when we were in Helena for the HHS Class of ’62 50th reunion. Sorry I was unable to see him then. Rick and his family are in our prayers.
Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Michelle –
I am sorry about your dad. He and you were very close. Please remember he will always be with you. We are praying for you and your family.
Dick Danzer says
Rick and I sat next to each other for four years playing baritone horn in the school band. He was a great friend and pretty good on that baritone. Haven’t seen him for many years, but I’ll never forget him.
Rene O'Reilly & Dale Chamberlain says
Dale & I always enjoyed Rick & watching him on his rider lawnmower…he took amazing care of the yard. We had to make sure we took as good a care of our yard as Rick did his. He had the most positive outlook and was so proud of how strong he was to get as far as he did with this awful disease. Tammy, please take care of yourself…your smile is infectious.
John & Cherie Dahl says
Rick was a high school classmate and our thoughts and prayers
go out to the family
Shelly clinch says
We’re so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Pat and Shelly Clinch
Vicki Hampson says
Tammy , Michelle, Loren & Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Please know you are in our Prayers.
Vicki & Mike Hampson
Jan Denke says
Tammy and family, we awe so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. God has welcomed him home where you will see him again. Our prayers our with you all. Love Mark and Jan Denke Hunter and Grayson Weber
Dan & Flo Jenkins says
Tammy and Family, Sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. He was such a great guy, you couldn’t have asked for a better friend . We knew him from our trucking days as well as being mutual CTVA members. he will be greatly missed. our thoughts and prayers are sent your way.
Shari McDonald/Obermueller says
Tammy, I was saddened to hear about Rick’s passing. Gary and Rick had a great relationship. I’m sure Gary welcomed Rick to his new fishing hole and the two are now having a cup of coffee or a beer discussing what is going on in the world. Most likely they have solved all the problems!
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shari McDonald/Obermueller
Jason M Harris says
Rest in Peace, Uncle Ricky!
We’ll NEVER forget you & the fun times we had with you & your family in Montana!!!
Love, Jason, Jenny, Jada, and Jackson Harris
Mililani, Hawaii
Chuck and Kim Norman says
Tammy,
We were so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike Sedlock says
Tammy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Rick in 2014 through CTVA. Beginning then and until his passing the two of us made more trail rides than I can count, riding every Tuesday and Thursday and also as often as we could with other CTVA members. He assisted me with putting together and hosting group rides for our members. We enjoyed taking Tammy and my wife Karen on trail rides in the mountains so that they could see the various wild flowers. Rick was always the first person to step forward to lend a helping hand for anyone. I am so blessed to have him as a friend and I’ll always cherish the wonderful times we spent together. It is so sad that Rick will no longer be with us, he was such a wonderful and caring man. I will surely miss him but look forward to ride again with him in the forever after.
Joanie Nicholls says
Tammy and kids I am so very sorry to hear about Ricks passing I hope you find comfort in knowing how much everyone cares for all you and all the memories that you have. If you need anything don’t hesitate to get ahold of us Hugs to all of you.
Steven and Joanie Nicholls
Doug Humphrey says
Was sorry to read Rick has passed. Rick, his brother Bill, Mike Clark and I were close friends through High School (a crazy bunch). Later we drifted apart though Rick did look me up to pay $40 I must have loaned him and forget about, a good and honest man.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Doug Humphrey
Fairfield, CA