Richard Allen Whittet, 83

Richard Allen Whittet, at the age of 83, “went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” on May 11, 2018, with his loving family by his side. His faith in Christ and loving wife, Ida, supported him in his short illness and ultimately gave him peace.

Richard was born to Willard and Florence Whittet, an Army bird colonel and a schoolteacher respectively, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was in a military family that lived in various places before settling in Livingston, Montana.

Richard married the love of his life, Ida Jones, in 1957. Richard graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts degree. While working and raising his family, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Divinity degree. Richard worked as an electrical engineer, college instructor, and 25 years as a church pastor, retiring at age 76. In 1979 he planted a church in Bozeman. During his pastorate in Bozeman, Richard (with Ida) took a leave if absence for a year to teach English in China. Both felt it was one of their best years together. At retirement age, Richard offered himself as an interim pastor and ended up pastoring Kalispell Foursquare Church for 15 years.

Richard was deeply devoted to his family and to serving others. He was a father who always involved himself in every detail of his daughters’ lives and supported, respected and loved his wife. He played an active part in the lives of his grandchildren. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love, and the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing. He was wise, loving, soft-spoken, a good listener and counselor. Richard had a love for music and was a life long musician and deeply appreciated the arts. He was community minded, sharing his time and talents with many religious and community groups and organizations.

Richard is survived by his wife, Ida, with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage; his daughters, Carrie (Larry), Sheri (Charlie) and Mary (John); nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Gay (Dick); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richards’s life will be celebrated at a small family gathering in California. The family gratefully accepts prayers, condolences and memories at www.buffalohillfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family requests a donation be made to Foursquare missionaries in Turkey who are starting churches and serving refugees. Donations can be made to Mill Creek Foursquare Church at 1415 164th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98087. Please write “Turkey: Whittet” in the memo line.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.