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Long-time Radersburg resident Alfred Doughty Grandchamp passed away Aug. 24, 2009, at the age of 102. His grandparents, Alfred H. Doughty and Harriet (Burdick) Doughty were pioneers of Broadwater County. They came to Montana in 1862, first to Helena for five years before settling in Springville, where Alfred ran a store. They moved to Radersburg in 1872, where Alfred ran a livery stable and six of their nine children grew to adulthood: John, Mertie, Henry, Mary, Alfred Jr., and Warren.
As a child, Al spent summers in Radersburg where his uncles exposed him to horses, thus starting a love affair that continued throughout his life. He enjoyed breaking and training horses, conducting horsemanship clinics, team roping, and braiding horse tack, mostly hackamores. Because of his rawhide braiding he was featured in two books, "Old Masters of the West" and "Montana Folks."
Al was living independently in the "Doughty Family home," where his mother was born in 1880, until Aug. 1 when he moved to the Bozeman Lodge. He passed away at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital due to a brief illness.
Alfred D. Grandchamp was born Oct. 9, 1907, at Cedar Spur, just west of Heron, to George W. Grandchamp and Mary (Doughty) Grandchamp. When he was very young his parents lived on the Grandchamp ranch/sawmill at Belknap and on Elk Creek at Heron. When he was 5 years old his parents moved to Thompson Falls. As a teenager he had summer work at the Donlan-Moderie logging camp, the Ford Garage, and the Thompson Falls Mercantile.
In 1926 he graduated from high school. Later employment at Thompson Falls was with Montana Power Company and the Forest Service. To further his education he attended Eastern Washington College, Cheney, where he acquired a teaching certificate.
He moved to Ronan to teach, and met fellow teacher Doris Ross. He married Nea Doris Ross on Dec. 21, 1931, in Ritzville, Wash., daughter of William Ross and Edna (Criger) Ross. At the end of the school year they moved to Washington so Al could finish his B.A. degree at the University of Washington, which he did in 1932.
He taught in Sims, and then Columbia Falls, becoming a high school principal and the district superintendent of schools.
Al and Doris's only child, a daughter, was born at Kalispell Feb. 12, 1939.
Education was important to Al, so from 1937 to 1942 he spent his summers attending the Universities of Boulder Colorado, Missoula, Montana and Chicago, Illinois. In 1943 he earned a Master's of Administration from the University of Chicago. From1945 to 1948 he took a break from teaching to work for his uncle, Alfred Doughty, at the Riverside Ranch west of Toston. Next, the family moved to Missoula.
The harsh winter of 1949-50 made a lasting impression on him because out of 200 cattle he leased to a friend on the Missouri River Breaks, only about 15 head survived due to more than six weeks of -20 to -40 degree temperatures. Also that year he traveled to Texas to buy his first quarter horse, which he broke and trained.
Next, it was off to Meridian, Idaho, where he was an elementary school principal and assistant superintendent of schools. While in Idaho Al became acquainted with C.O. and Ruth Williamson who made a better horseman of him, and he met Leige Lewis who taught him how to rawhide. Another move brought the family back to Montana, to Livingston where he taught high school English and his daughter, Noel, graduated. During the summers he broke and trained horses. Then it was on to Olympia, Wash., to teach during the year and break and train horses in Montana for the summer.
In 1963 Al and Doris came back to Radersburg to live with his mother and run the Riverside Ranch with Bob Harris; Doris taught at Crow Creek School. In 1980 his mother passed away at the age of 99. He and Doris stayed on at the "Doughty family home." In 1986 Doris passed away, ending a wonderful marriage lasting 54 years.
Al was a remarkable man. At nearly103 he still had his mental and physical health; he kept his mind sharp through regular reading and study, while his body benefited from his positive attitude and lifelong use of weights, isometrics and walks. He not only taught in the public schools but also taught horsemanship and rawhide braiding to those who wanted to learn. He conducted horsemanship clinics in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Canada. Even in the end he has chosen to be a teacher, as he donated his body to science.
Al will be missed by several special friends in Radersburg and Broadwater County, as well as the friends all over the country he made through his horse connections.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Noel and Russ Vance; two granddaughters: Heather (Allen) Meredith and her husband, Mark Meredith, and Gwen Allen, all of Bozeman; grandson, Meredith Allen, living south of Livingston; four great-grandchildren: Ashley (Billis) Duneman, Britten Billis, Tanner Billis, and Kira Meredith, all of Bozeman; three great-great-grandchildren, Kylie, Kinzie and Dillon Duneman of Bozeman; cousin, Linda (Doughty) Cobban and her husband, Robert of Townsend.
No services are planned.
15 Entries
I first met Al at a clinic at Walt Vermedahl's ranch in 1993 and what an inspiriration he was then, and still is. Over the years we kept up a lively correspondence through letters and phone calls and visits - always full of talk about horses. He taught me so much about being a better horseman (and thus person) and was always so willing to lend a bit of advise and encouragement to me. Sometimes adding in a line from a song or quote he enjoyed. When I recently married and shared the good news with him, he said, "If I was 10 years younger I'd come visit you and shake John's hand" -- we immediately made a trip out to see him so that could happen - what an honor. He often said "I'm the luckiest man in Montana!" Having known Al Grandchamp I feel like the luckiest woman in Michigan.
Sharon Vanderbout Schiebold
September 11, 2009
September 10, 2009
Dear Noel & Family,
Although I didn't get to have your Dad for a teacher, I always enjoyed interactions with him while visiting in your home. I always admired him & enjoyed being in his home with you in Radersburg. In later years I was always amazed at his spark, witt & still driving his car at age 102!!! Please know that my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family as you deal with this great loss.
Carol (Gonder) Smith
September 9, 2009
I had Mr. Grandchamp my sophmore year and really enjoyed him as a teacher. I often wondered where he relocated. What an impressive obit. My sympathy is extented to all his loved ones.
His classroom was next to Home Ec and my dear friend AGNES VAN OOSTEN WHO passed away in 1999 at the age of 97.
Deanna Ebert Egeland Livingston
September 9, 2009
Dear Noel and family. What a full and wonderful life your Dad had. I will always remember how witty he would be in English class. He was one of my favorites. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Judy Robinson Forbes
September 9, 2009
Noel and Family:
So sorry to hear about your Dad. What a productive life he lived. I remember him so well from Park High and our friendship.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
JoAnn
JoAnn Jordan Piazzola
September 9, 2009
Dearest Grandchamp family,
Thank you so much for sharing your father and mother with us. We grew up respecting each of them for their incredible talents and kindness. They were teachers in vocation and in their living examples. I so enjoyed going to the family home to learn some braiding, horse training techniques and history of my own family. Thank you and God bless.
Cathy Williams & Family
September 3, 2009
Noel & Family,
It is with deep sadness to hear of the passing away of such a great friend & horseman of the Crow Creek Valley. Al taught me so much with my horses at the ranch. What an impact he had on so many people and horses! May you know he touched us in many ways. God Bless & comfort you with his memories!
Trish Dundas-Toney
September 3, 2009
Noel and family, Such a remarkable man and legacy! My prayers are with all of you as you treasure your memories of a life well lived. Charlotte Orr
Charlotte Orr
August 31, 2009
Sorry to hear about Al. He was a great guy. He was a patient of mine in a dental office that I worked. He loved to tell me stories & give me tidbits on how to keep my horse in line. He will be so missed. He was the kinda person that comes into your life & touches you in away, and you always wonder whats he doing know. Al keep riding those horses.
Rhonda Mize
August 31, 2009
My deepest condolences are with the family in this time of sorrow.
Al was a great mentor of many including me and helped a vast amount of people learn to appreciate and train the horse. I met Al when I was young and he guided me to a much higher level of horsemanship and thinking than I could ever have achieved without him. We spent many hours, years ago, talking about just that and practicing manuevers to achieve a supple horse at Al Kimptons. Clinics were always fun too. So many will miss his wise teachings and great sense of humor too.
I use his Syllabus and have notes of all those hours he spent teaching me that I will cherish forever. He is an unforgettable man.
One of his students and friends,
Vickie Haugland Baumgartner
Vickie Baumgartner
August 30, 2009
Al was my mentor and friend for many years and helped me grow into the person and horseman I am today. Even though I did not see him often these past few years I have used his Syllabus often and have many notes of the sessions we had those many years ago that I use when I need to think about the horse and its training. I will always cherish the Gordon Hays bit he let me buy from him and have used it on several horses.
Conversations with Al were remarkably inspiring and I enjoyed every one of them. We had many. Visiting with him this past summer was the same and I marveled at his sharpness of mind.
He will be in my heart always.
A friend.
Vickie Haugland Baumgartner
Vickie Baumgartner
August 30, 2009
August 30, 2009
We are deeply saddened to hear of Al's passing. David and I met Al in 2005 and spent several hours with him telling stories and 'talking horses'. What a privilege and a pleasure it was to finally meet him, not to mention the many phone conversations we had over the last several years. What a wonderful man he was and I will miss him forever.
Our hearts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time and we extend our deepest sympathy to your family. God Bless you always.
Leslee and David Schwartz
Wimberley, Texas
August 30, 2009
We are so sorry to hear about Al he was a great friend and horseman. He always had many stories to share with us about horses and his life when we came to vist him he will be missed by many. May God bless you and we will keep you in our prayers.
Alejandro&Jen Chacano
August 29, 2009
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Al. He was a true gentleman and friend. A finer horseman could not be found. God bless you now and always. Hold tight to your memories.
Bob and Elaine Graveley
August 27, 2009
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