Richard S. Wagner, 87

Richard S. Wagner, 87, passed away April 4, 2017, at his home in Bigfork.

He was born Aug. 30,1929, in Park City, Montana, to Fred and Mary Wagner. In 1933 his parents moved to Chinook where they began a farming and ranching operation. Growing up on the farm, Richard began learning the trade of the agriculture community at a young age and became an expert in operating equipment and management. In 1967 they sold their operation and moved to Kalispell. Richard and his wife Connie purchased a cherry orchard in the Yellow Bay area on Flathead Lake. In 1970 they sold the orchard and moved to Bigfork.

Richard was employed by Columbia Falls Aluminum Company until retirement.

He graduated from Chinook High School in 1947 was a fine athlete and was a member of the 1947 Sugarbeeter basketball team that placed third in the Class B State Tournament. He also played baseball on the independent town team. He became interested in flying and at age 16, he began taking lessons and soloed, later acquiring his private license November 1951. He continued flying into later years and purchased a flight simulator, which he operated up to the time of his death.

He traveled to England, Europe, Mediter ranean, Egypt, and cruises to the Caribbean and Panama Canal. He was an avid hiker in Glacier National Park and was a snowbird for 10 years, wintering in the Tucson, Arizona, area.

He was baptized in the German Lutheran Church in Park City, confirmed in the American Lutheran Church in Chinook, and a member of Bethany Lutheran in Bigfork and Bethlehem Lutheran in Kalispell.

He was a member of the Heavy Tank Co. 2nd BN 163rd Inf. Mt. NG. with a M/SGT E-7 for 10 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Connie, of 34 years, on Dec. 26, 1993; his mother, Mary, Oct. 4, 2012; and father, Fred, on March 27, 1988.

He is survived by brother Roger and wife Antoinette of Whitefish, nephews Mark and wife Taunja and Abby of Whitefish, John of Whitefish, nieces Valerie Denault and husband Pete and children Eric and Alyssa of Missoula, Catherine Lerner and husband AI of Kalispell, and longtime friend and companion Barbra Lafrantz of Kalispell.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Cremation has taken place and interment at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be sent to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.