Terry Wade Frisch’s motto was “Every day was an adventure and a gift.” His earthly life ended on April 16, 2019.
Terry Frisch was born on September 23, 1953 to Fred and Virginia Frisch. Fred began a new job in Helena, thus moving the family to Helena where Terry would live most of his life.
Terry grew up on Geddis Street and played with the plethora of neighborhood children. He would be known as part the Ray Bjork School gang. Days were spent playing ball, riding bikes and exploring. He found humor in everything and that with his impulsivity got him into – and out of – trouble. He was the smallest boy in school and learned to use his wits and cunning. Things changed over the summer before his Junior year – he grew to almost 6 feet tall!
At Helena High School, he began his lifelong love of reading, research, analysis and writing. He began to dabble in writing poetry which he continued throughout his life. He was on the yearbook and Pannings staff. This was the Vietnam era and he observed what war did to his world, forming the basis for the remainder of his life. He believed war was immoral; for this reason he was later asked to leave his beloved Baptist church.
Lincoln, Montana was where Terry was “schooled.” Lincoln in the 1970’s was swarming with young adults. He lived in the Kemmer/Brewster for Lost Loggers. He cut logs by day and spent several nights in the local bars drinking liquid courage to face the hill the next day. A family was formed with his co-workers, called the Four F’us: Terry, Marvin, Rod and Ward. With this family, he had his first taste of unconditional positive regard.
Terry’s life took a turn when he was summoned to serve on a grand jury. The case lasted for two and a half years until its conclusion; he was now ready for a new phase of his life.
An acquaintance, Cathy Beckett, tracked him to Lincoln, asked him to marry her and move to Helena. Terry said yes and the new adventure began. Their marriage lasted for several decades and Terry’s only child, Cody, was born to them.
Terry loved being a father. He was enthralled by his son. He vowed to do his best to shield his son from the chaos of experiencing what living in an alcoholic home can do to a childhood like he experienced. When Cody joined the Great Divide Ski Team, Terry drove him to every practice, races all over the state, and his camps. At 40 years old, Terry learned to ski and loved it. He later taught skiing and had the sincere pleasure to meet some of his World Cup heroines: Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin at Lake Louise. World Cup skiing captured his complete attention and admiration in the winter.
Terry worked at the Department of Health and Human Services on the Capitol grounds. He was the Manager for the state’s Medicaid estate recovery program and supervised over 30 people. He worked closely with governors, senators and the state legislature. Terry loved politics. At this time and until his death, he felt compelled to point out and cure injustices. He didn’t care that his views maybe unpopular. He marched, picketed, wrote letters and made phone calls. He pitched in to help where he was needed. He was relentless. He was a precinct chairman and helped get people elected and unelected. He was President of the Helena Parents Commission. He worked to improve his community. He was elected to the Helena Citizen’s Council working on issues related to noise pollution, garbage, abandoned cars and snow removal.
Just before retirement from the Department of Veteran Affairs, he renewed his relationship with his high school girlfriend, Carol Eckberg Swanson. The second time he asked for her hand in marriage, she agreed. Their fairy-tale-love affair began. Terry began building their sanctuary on Rodney Street. Terry and Cody designed and constructed a motor home garage and shop. Gardening was drawing him in and he tended his 40 hosta plants. Hand watering the boulevard gave him time to commune with his surroundings and construct frameworks for poems. Terry became acquainted with the pleasure of coffee and reading for hours on his front porch. He began cooking and enjoyed leisurely gourmet meals served on his patio. He still engaged in his favorite activity: reconnoitering. And like many retirees before him—he began to travel. Terry purchased Carol a Mercedes motorhome and they traveled all over the Northwest and Canada.
Terry’s last years were coping with myelofibrosis, the myeloproliferative neoplasm type. In 2018, he had a bone-marrow-stem-cell transplant courtesy of a paid donor match. He endured many difficult and different medical procedures including over 182 blood transfusions. He estimated he had close to 1,000 care givers. He spent 7/12 months in Seattle and many months in other hospitals, encountering numerous angels along the way. He was evaluated by the renowned Dr. H. Joachim Deeg and treated by Dr. Rainer Storb, and also by the Lime Team from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the University of Washington.
Terry is survived by beloved wife, Carol; son, Cody; and lovers and dreamers everywhere. He is in the sky singing, “When I think about us I see the picture that we made. A picture to remind us—-True Love Will Never Fade.”
Cremation has taken place and private celebration to remember Terry will occur in the future as he requested. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Terry, please reach Carol through her email address – caswans@gmail.com – for a suggestion. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Terry.
Karen Miser says
Carol, my thoughts and prayers are with you with the loss of Terry. It was always a joy to see the two of you on the porch enjoying the evening together.
Mary Jensen says
Terry blessed our life with his love, humor and inspiration. Terry obeyed his Lord and Saviour: he was a faithful husband in both marriages. He never condemned, judged or shunnned others. Terry followed the truth not rumors or hearsay. Terry was a just and kind man who blessed my life for knowing him.
Carol, your Terry loved you so much! For years you sacrificed your health to care for him. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. Carol you are in my prayers.
Mark Elliott says
Carol so very sorry for your loss and the hard time your going through
Bobbie Conrady says
You will always be my little brother. Memories will stay in my heart forever. You made us laugh so many times. Steve Martin impersonation was perfect. Love you truly. Rest in peace. Bobbie
Leah Harrington says
Carol
Sending my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May All the wonderful memories of the life you built together lift your spirits. It’s so very difficult to lose the ones we love , but May you have peace in your heart knowing that you did all that you could do to help and support Terry.
Gibby Carlascio says
Terry lit up the room with his personality when i first met him..i could tell right away he was a good soul and wish i had more time to know him better. I hope you are doing ok..and keep those good memories in your heart forever. I look forward to the next time i see you. thinking about you today
Gibby
Al Ivins says
Carol, sorry for your loss. Take comfort that alone you took the greatest care of Terry for years .May he finally RIP. Terry was a great guy he loved you and his son.
Mollie Plummer says
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. You are Terry mean so much to me and my family. Terry was an amazing, kind and loving man. He always had a joke to share, along with his contagious smile. He always shared great advice, with great knowledge. You will be missed so much Terry. Rest In Peace.
Mike says
Terry, its been a privilege and honor to know you.
You over came so many trials in your life always taking the high road. RIP your suffering is over.. Your beautiful wife, Carol, and your son, Cody are in my prayers.
John says
Terry was a loved part of the family. He was good to mom and Mary Beth. His kind soul was a family ttreasure.. Our family,’s time with him was to short a time. Every time I heard about Terry he was doing good woeks. Thank you Terry for being there for the family. I celebrate your life and your final reward.
Todd Plummer says
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. We are all thinking of you.
McKenzie Plummer says
Carol I’m so sorry for your loss. Me and my family love you so much. Terry was a great person and I’ll never forget when we went on a picnic down to the bands playing by the carousel, terry was so excited and we had so much fun!
Nancy Elliott says
Carol, the family is mourning our great loss with you. Terry brought great joy to our family. Driving to Missoula to visit Alice was so nice of him. Learning he was so sick when he went out of his way to help others shows what a great man he was.
Carol, I hope you find comfort and peace. You spent years taking care of Terry.
Ann Conner says
Terry was a great person, welcoming smile, great sense of humor. His great love for Carol radiated from him. Always a pleasure to see them together. Terry may you rest in peace. You have lived an exemplary life. May you rise with Christ to enjoy your etetnal reward.
Kathy O'Day says
Thinking of and praying for you Carol, Terry loved you so much. I hope to see you soon. Love you.
Cathy Schneckloth Dawe says
I am so sorry to hear about Terry. He was a great guy! We were classmates for many years. May God give you comfort and peace.
Crystal Carlascio says
Living a love story has many chapters. Carol, your love story has not ended, a new chapter has begun. Terry’s love is everywhere. My hope is that you continue to feel Terry’s love. My thoughts are with you.
cora Carlascio says
pleese smile agin. He is happy Jesus is happy Heaven is happy and good.
Jim Sampson says
My sincere condolences. I have been friends with Terry since grade school and have always been proud to call him my friend.. He was a good man and will be missed by many. I hope you find comfort in his memory.
Karen Weaver says
Dear Cousin Carol, I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Terry. He was a wonderful husband! What a great smile and so very kind. Being part of your wedding was wonderful as the love you had together was so very evident. Moon River indeed! Much love to you and I’ve been praying for you during this Holy Week and Gods resurrection. 💜💜💜
Tom & Irene says
Carol we are so so sorry for your loss we are all thinking of you and praying for you. I didn’t know Terry very much but I knew you where the perfect couple together.
Nancy, Jim, and Tim Merrill says
To Carol, and Terry’s family,
It was such a wonderful summer when Terry and Carol visited our summer home in NH.
Even though we met him this once, we became instant friends and we were so happy they were able to make the cross country trip. He made 2013 a special year for us.
Terry enjoyed sitting on the sunny morning porch, sipping, no, gulping, coffee from his mug.
We enjoyed his stories of Montana wildlife. All we could offer were scenes of turkeys strutting through the fields.
There are no melodramatic wildlife in our neck of the woods.
Terry was impressed with the house guestbook with signatures dating back to the early 1800’s, and proudly added his name that will be there forever.
It was such a pleasure, even tho short, to get to know what a fine person Terry will always be in our memories.
It was easy to see that Terry and Carol were meant for each other.
suejack5250@msn.com says
My sincere sympathy to the whole Frisch family. I always admired the strength of your family bonds. Sue Jackson
Bob, Mary Kay Jenkins says
Terry looked so happy when he married his high school sweetheart, Carol. I wish they had more years together. Terry will be remembered as a good man with high principles. Terry adored his son, Cody. Terry went the extra mile to assure his son’s success. Terry’s life was cut short but it was a life lived well.
Karen Sandon says
Carol, my prayers are with you at this time. I’m so glad I had the pleasure of meeting Terry. I love hearing stories of your fairytale marriage and the love you shared. God bless you.
Paul Martello says
Carol , I just heard of Terry”s passing. I talked to him not long ago when he called me to ask about cataract surgery. My heart goes out to you. I know you were the perfect match for Terry. I always enjoyed visiting with you two when I saw you in Costco. Keep all his memories close to your heart. I’m really sorry for your loss.
Laura Alexander (Eckberg) says
Hey Carol. Sorry to hear about your loss. Wishing you all the best. Your sister, Laura Alexander (Eckberg)
Diane says
Carol Frisch I am from Lincoln Montana and remember Terry back in those logger days and on thru some of the 90’s I was married to Rod. I just now today found out of Terry’s passing reading last weeks BVD. I want you to know how sorry I am to hear this news.
With sadness I Pray you find comfort and peace.
Respectfully,
Diane L. Krier