Richard Dougherty

| April 13, 2016 8:24 AM

Richard Dougherty, 88, died April 5, 2016 at the Montana Veterans’ Home in Columbia Falls, where he had resided since June 2, 2010.

Our father was in the army in Korea in the small slot of time between World War II and the Korean conflict. Each of us, no doubt, remember why we should clean up our plates.

Richard was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Wheeler) Dougherty in 2001. They had been married for 52 years. He is survived by Valerie, Sharon, Michael and Helen, Neva, and Penny and Chuck as well as 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and even a small number of great-great-grandchildren. A son, Ron, died in 1987, as well as a granddaughter in 2013.

Richard was born in Absorakee, Montana on Oct. 9, 1927, youngest of the 10 children of Tom and Maude (Pentecost) Dougherty. He was the last surviving member of his parents’ family and of his siblings. He outlived all of them.

Dad longed for the simpler life of rural Montana. He worked the majority of his career at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. in Columbia Falls. He lived in a house just north of town for about 43 years. Dad and mom always had one of the nicest gardens around and that is a pleasant memory for all his family.

In 1998 Dad had a stroke. Though, it was very debilitating, he did not die from it. This event defined much of the rest of his life. It would be a loving kindness to all our families, if we would make ourselves aware of the markers of this lethal killer and take measures we reasonably can to prevent this, that we may continue to live our lives to the fullest potential.

Of particular note that should be mentioned, is the outstanding care the patriarch of our family received during his stay at the Montana Veterans’ Home. Each of his care givers did a good job in their responsibilities. Some of these employees have gone over and above what they were hired for. They were very compassionate. They must have graduated at the top of their caregiving classes! Thank you very much, from Richard’s family.

As per his request, there will be no service.