Richard (Dick) E. Wall, 78, of Helena went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 3, 2010, at St. Peter’s Hospital. He died peacefully in his sleep after a recent accident accelerated his progressive health problems.
Dick was born Feb. 15, 1932, in Helena to Carl and Claire Wall. He graduated from Helena High in 1950 and received degrees from Montana State University in 1954 and 1963.
He was married to Earlene Boward of Lewistown, and they were married in 1957. Dick worked in the banking and insurance business for many years in Lewistown, Bozeman and briefly in New Mexico. In 1972 he realized his life-long dream and became a farmer-rancher at Springhill, north of Bozeman. He loved to work outdoors and loved being in the mountains.
In 1977, Dick Wall left his beloved ranch to pursue entrepreneurial business opportunities in Oregon. In 1982, Dick and Earlene returned to Montana and established their home in Helena where he worked first in estate planning and then for the past 15 years in farm and ranch real estate.
A true Montanan, Dick loved to ride horses with his favorite uncle, Bill Wall, and to ride dirt bikes in the mountains with his longtime friend Boyd Bawden. He also loved to spend time with family and spend time in his extensive garden. He was an avid Montana history buff who wouldn’t hesitate to dig under an old outhouse to find artifacts and always planned to write a book on Montana history.
Dick enjoyed people and was quick to put his trust in others and give the most charitable of judgments. He was a loving man, committed to his family, and had a positive outlook throughout both successes and failures in life. He worked hard all his life in each of his varied occupations and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Helena.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Carl.
He is survived by his wife, Earlene and his mother, Claire, of Helena; and his brother, Don Wall, of Eugene, Ore. His surviving children are Debbie Schaner of Billings, Deanna Ouellette of Missoula, Brett Wall of Helena and Wendy Wall of St. Paul, Minn. Surviving grandchildren are, Amanda Hartman of Norfolk, Va., Anna Murnion of Minneapolis, Travis Chavez of St. Paul, Austin Ouellette of Missoula, Bailey Ouellette of Missoula, Rachel Schaner of Billings, Daniel Schaner of Bozeman, Trenton Chavez of St. Paul and Jessa Ouellette of Missoula.
A celebration of Dick’s life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing, with a reception to follow the service in the Social Center of the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT, 59601 or Lewis and Clark Historical Society, c/o Ray Read, 470 Ronda Road, Helena, MT, 59602.
Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home. To offer condolences to the family or to share memory of Dick, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Cathy White says
Dick will be greatly missed by all of those would had the pleasure of knowing him. He touched the lives of many with his warm nature and a smile that would light up the room. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and we know he is with the lord now…for that we are grateful.
Frances (Weaver) Batchelder says
I just want to share my Prayers with Dicks wife and family and his Mother . I worked for Dicks father and knew the family. Pat keeps me informed. Hard too for Claire to loose her son . My Condolences. Frances Batchelder
Mary Brydich says
Earlene and Family:
I am so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. I have so many wonderful Kiwanis memories of Dick during my 13 years with the Helena Kiwanis Club. Whether it be ringing bells, a service project, our Monday luncheon, selling apples/pears or another fundraiser, Dick was always pleasant. My thoughts and prayers are with you – Mary Brydich
Valerie Raisch says
Earleen, Brett and Terri,Claire and the rest of the Wall family,
It was such a pleasure to worship with Richard and the rest of you when I attended Helena’s First Presbyterian Church before we retired and moved to Florida.
My heartfelt love and sympathy to all of you. May God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus help your grieving hearts.
With sincere sympathy,
Valerie Raisch
Shelly Green Boland says
Saddened by the loss of a wonderful man .. I have many memories and will cherish them all. R.I.P. Dick
Bill and Kathy Bahny says
We had the wonderful experience of being co-workers and working with Dick in the Real Estate Business. Our prayers go out to his family.
Cathy Kovich says
Brett and family, I am sorry for your loss. Bless Dick’s journey and may the Good Lord surround you with love and peace. Dick is in good hands.
Allen and Kathy Chambers says
Dick always made you feel like you were the most important person in his life. His positive, can-do attitude at church was such an inspiration. What a special man.
Our love and prayers are with you as you grieve your loss and as we all celebrate Dick’s new life.
Ron Iverson says
Earlene and Family–We all lost a very fine man. I believe we officed together for three or four years, and I really enjoyed his company. He always had the big smile and was so much fun to talk to. He was always genuinely interested in what anyone had to say, and his stories were always embellished in a way that only he could do. Please accept my sympathies as this hard loss. Ron
Jerrie Dolan says
WOW, I met Dick Wall when I started in the realestate business. He was always kind, encouraging and had a smile that could light up the room. I loved to listen to his adventures and stories of his past mostly of the ranch, his horses and family. He sure loved and was so proud of his wife and kids. So sad he is no longer with ue hear on earth but knowing he is with us in spirit can warm our hearts. Prayers to the Family…
Douglas & Rachel Bawden says
Earlene, Debbie, Deanna, Brett Wendy and family – You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Our hearts will always be warmed by the memories of Dick and Boyd’s adventures in motorcycling and hiking. Dick will be greatly missed. We will keep a smile in our hearts and on our lips in his memory.
Tina Crum (Lucht) says
Earlene, Wendy and Family:
I am deeply sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to you all. May the Lord Bless you and Keep You Close.
Much Love,
Tina & Todd Crum
Jack Smith says
I went to Helena High with Dick.
He was such a good friend. I had him in several classes.
I enjoyed our visits at several class reunions thru the years.
Dick was a “Cool” Man. I was fortunate to be called his friend, as he was certainly , my friend.
My sincere condolences to his surviving family.
Jack Smith