Richard "Dick" Call

Richard "Dick" Call, 93

Richard [Dick] Call passed away on December 16 at the age of 93.

Dick was born in Minneapolis and grew up there with his mother and sister. Dick's father died when Dick was 8 years old in 1940 and his mom went to work as a public health nurse. Dick was surrounded by wonderful aunts and uncles, and if you were around him long, you would have heard many stories about them. Dick enjoyed playing hockey and football while attending De La Salle High School. He loved music all his life and would often sneak up to his sister Joyce's room and listen to her big band records on the family victrola.

Dick attended St. Thomas college for three years and the University of Minnesota for two years where he received his degree in Forestry in 1957. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army and spent two years in Germany. He enjoyed telling people he was in the Army at the same time as Elvis. When he returned following his honorable discharge, he took a job with U.S. Forest Service in Northern Idaho at the Bungalow Ranger Station. A few months later, he went back to Minneapolis to marry his sweetheart Mary on September 12, 1959. After the wedding, they returned to Idaho. It was a huge transition moving from the city to a 24 foot trailer where they had to pump their own water. They lived in Orofino during the winter months and while there, their first two children were born, Cecilia in 1960 and Richard in 1961. They transferred to the Red River Ranger Station near Elk City where they lived for 2 years, and then to the Slate Creek Ranger Station near Whitebird, Idaho where Dick was promoted to Assistant Ranger. While there, their third and fourth children were born, Charles in 1963 and David in 1966. In 1968, they moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Their son Patrick was born there in 1972. They transferred back to Orofino where Dick became the District Ranger at Kelly Creek Ranger Station. In 1978, they moved to Columbia Falls, Montana. Dick was the Ranger at Glacier View Ranger District from 1978 to 1985. He then transferred to Helena where he worked at the Forest Supervisor's Office until his retirement in 1991. Dick continued his federal work with FEMA after retirement for several years. He also enjoyed volunteering at Glacier National Park. Dick and Mary retired for a time at Twin Lakes Idaho and then back to Columbia Falls. They also purchased a condo in Apache Junction, Arizona where they spent their winters. They enjoyed their travels immensely. Then in March of 2009, Mary died unexpectedly.

Dick was lucky enough to find true love twice. On September 5, 2010, Dick married Annette Canavan at St. Richard Parish in Columbia Falls. Annette had six children she brought to the marriage. He grew to love them all dearly. Dick and Annette traveled, spent some time in Arizona, shared a home in the North Fork area, and enjoyed their life together. Dick moved into the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls in the Spring of 2023. Annette continued to visit him regularly.

Dick is survived by his wife Annette, his five children, Celie [Ray] Aylesworth, Rich [Tammy] Call, Chuck [Tina] Call, Dave [Beth] Call, and Pat [Tanya] Call, grandchildren Josh [Amy] Aylesworth, Mack Aylesworth, Daniel [Regan] Aylesworth, Michael [Britttany], Mathew, Alex, Jon, Nic, Evan [Megan], Julian, Abby, Katie, and Luke Call, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by Annette's six children and their families.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 23 at 10 am at St. Richard Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. The rosary will be Monday at 6 pm also at St. Richard.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.