Merritt Chamberlain

1942 - 2025

Merritt Chamberlain, the eldest of three siblings, was born in Billings, Montana, to Laura "LaVerne" Chamberlain and Merritt Benjamin Chamberlain, who were wheat farmers outside Roundup at the time. Throughout his youth and young adulthood, Merritt, his brother Mark, and his sister Rachel helped their parents on the farm and in several family businesses, including one of the first fast-food restaurants in Billings-the Fountain Drive-In and gas station in the Heights-and later Central Ave Cleaners, Gorham Park Cleaners & Laundromat, and Fabricare.

During high school, Merritt became interested in motorcycles. He first competed in the Great American Hill Climb, held annually in the South Hills outside Billings, in 1960. His first championship win came in 1962, and he went on to win eight more times through 1973. Merritt, Mark, and later his nephew Shannon enjoyed riding and competing in statewide and regional events. Between Merritt and Shannon, the Chamberlain name is associated with twelve championship wins across the 105 annual Hill Climbs sponsored by the Billings Motorcycle Club.

Merritt was a true renaissance man, pursuing numerous interests, businesses, and side ventures throughout his life. He served in the Army and National Guard for six and a half years as a tank mechanic and earned a sharpshooter badge. He later built homes and cabins with Mark; ran poker games at the Elk Club and The Circle Inn; repaired laundromat machines for his parents in the early morning hours; owned and maintained rental homes; and played racquetball at the Billings Racquet Club-often followed by foosball, beer, and wings at The Squire Lounge.

In 1974, while working at The Circle Inn, Merritt met Diane Riley, a single mother of four young children. He was a brave man who stepped willingly into the role of parenting.

Merritt and Diane relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1986, where he attended technical school, later taught, and ultimately became facilities manager for High Tech Institute-all while running a large vending-machine business with Diane and stepdaughter Kim. After retiring in 2013, Merritt enjoyed being a "picker," hunting for treasures to repair and resell. He also spent many hours studying and investing in the stock market.

A man of few words but often profound wisdom-such as "You can't teach experience" and "You either have money, or you have kids"-Merritt lived by a code of accepting others and treating them as he wished to be treated: with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Merritt died peacefully in his Scottsdale home after a short illness. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Diane, and his brother Mark. He is loved and missed by his surviving friends and family: stepchildren Kim Kolstad, Kelly Nelson (Glen), and Clark Riley; grandchildren Aimee Heimberg (Andy), Jessica Kolstad, Loren Nelson, and Jill Domel (Steven); sister Rachel Roverud (Brian); sister-in-law Darlene Chamberlain; nephew Shannon Chamberlain (Janel); niece Crystal Nichols (Erik); and many great-grandchildren, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

An intimate celebration of Merritt's life was recently held in Scottsdale. Honorariums may be sent to PEAKS (People Everywhere Are Kind & Sharing), a 100% volunteer organization that provides grants to cancer patients in Montana and Wyoming. PEAKS donations are managed by The Billings Clinic Foundation, 406-657-4670, 2917 10th Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101.