Richard Zielke

Richard Zielke was not your average bear. He really wasn’t a bear (well perhaps a big teddy bear). At 5’ 10’’ and 250 pounds, Richard brought to mind the image of a Russian bear.

To say that he was strong would be an understatement. He was always viewed as the strongest guy that we knew. But little did we know the physical, mental and spiritual strength that he truly possessed. In his two and a half year journey from the picture of health to his recent death, all who knew him saw the real definition of strength (and inspiration).

As an “only” child he had the undivided attention and business influence of his Dad, who owned a lumber mill on the Oregon Coast. Richard got to travel everywhere with his dad and those early influences instilled in him a sense of family, fun, and enterprise.

He graduated in 1963 from Lynnwood High and went on to the University of California at Long Beach. By age 30, Richard had launched his career in software engineering and property development. But for those who knew him well, he could have had a successful career as a comedy writer. And for all who knew him at all, we have the endless array of “Zielke-isms”.

With the success of having written financial software programs for the likes of Mattel, Nilsson and Loral, Richard struck out on his own with his industry famous FOY software package for financial accounting. In 1994 he moved his family from Hermosa Beach, Calif., to his vacation home in Whitefish. In no time at all the Zielke family assimilated into the Whitefish community and Richard began various property development projects. For those in the valley who came to know Richard during this project and the many others that followed, they found a friend who possessed unbridled enthusiasm and energy … and a wild sense of humor. But more importantly all recognized his strength of conviction and ability to organize a party and a good time for all who were swept up in his path. And for his friends there was no distance that was too far or help that was too great for him to offer.

Richard was an avid skier and scuba diver. He skied all over North America from Wyoming and Montana to Banff and well into New Hampshire and Vermont. And his scuba expeditions included frequent trips to the varied islands of Hawaii and on into the Florida Keys and the Caribbean waters of Central America. And of course he was locally known as an enthusiastic golfer and racquetball player. (Many were the unsuspecting players that fell to his speed and strength on the squash court.)

It’s difficult when a giant no longer walks among us; a gentle bear of a man whose humor and mischievous “Jack Nicholson” smile always brought a laugh and was the forerunner of the fun that usually followed. Richard Zielke leaves a legacy of improved and developed property in the valley … but most importantly he leaves a large community of family and friends who looked to his strength as an inspiration … in life … and in death.

Richard is survived by his wife Sandra (Sandy) of 26 years, his son Robert who lives in Kalispell and his daughter Ashley and son Gregory.

A Memorial Remembrance was held at the Christ Lutheran Church on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Youth Ministries of Christ Lutheran Church in Richard’s honor.