Richard Gabica

Richard P. Gabica, 95, died November 3, 2009 at his home in Nampa, Idaho. Richard was born July 29, 1914 to Elias and Valentina Uberuaga Gabica at Reynolds, Idaho where his father was grazing sheep in the Owyhee Mountains near the Reynolds Creek Ranch. The story is told, that at the birth of his son, Elias went to Silver City to celebrate for three days. He didn't celebrate so much when his son, at a very young age, cut the tongue off a hay wagon at the Reynolds Creek Ranch. Richard grew up in Nampa and spent the summers tending camp and herding his father's sheep in the Owyhee Mountains. While still in his teens, his father sent him alone, to accompany fat lambs by train, to Omaha, Chicago and Kansas City markets. He attended grade school at St Paul's Catholic School in Nampa. From the fifth grade through high school, Richard milked two cows every morning and night and sold the milk to the Mercy Hospital and to the nuns at St. Paul's. He graduated from St. Paul's and went on to Nampa Senior High School, graduating in 1932. Richard attended Links Business College in Boise after high school for a short time, but was sent by his father to sheep camp, due to the depression. At the death of his father on October 16, 1936, Richard took over the family sheep business and bought the sheep from his mother in 1939. On December 29, 1939 he married Benita Gaviola, daughter of Manuel and Dolores Azpiri Gaviola at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Richard met Benita at a dance at Cascade where her father ran sheep, as did Richard's father. Richard and Benita made their home in Nampa and at sheep camp in the Owyhee Mountains. In 1945 he purchased the Reynolds Creek Ranch from his uncle Lorenzo Uberuaga. He then sold the sheep and bought Lorenzo's cattle. He continued in the cattle ranching business until his retirement in 1965. Richard was active in the cattle industry associations serving as president of Owyhee County Cattlemen's, Board of Director of the Idaho Cattleman's Association and was honored with the Idaho Grassman of Year Award in 1960. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Broadmore Country Club. He was a lifetime member of the Nampa Elk's Lodge #1389. He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Board, donating many hours of work maintaining and renovating, as well as fundraising for the cemetery. Richard is remembered fondly by his daughters for the legacy of strong family values and a strong work ethic he displayed and ingrained in us, for which we will always be grateful. Richard is preceded in death by his wife Benita and his sisters; Charlotte Gibson (Frank), and Louise Storey (Don). He is survived by his sister Alice Tipton (Dr. Willis). He has three daughters; Inez Jaca (Elias), Marilynn Jacobson (Lyle), and Margene Eiguren (Richard). He has nine grandchildren; Luisa Jaca, Richard Eiguren Jr. (Marcia), Martin Jaca (Susan), Jason Eiguren (Jane), Matt Jacobson (Teresa), Michael Eiguren (Robbin), Jordan Jacobson, Andrea Eiguren Burch (Sean), and Katie Jacobson. He is also survived by his niece and nephew Lisa Corcostegui (Enrique) and Dr. Rhett Tipton (Maria). Niece Diane Storey Richards preceded him death. Richard was surrounded by eighteen beautiful great-grandchildren. The family especially wants to thank his caregiver, Judy Hill, for her very kind and compassionate care to our father. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at the St. Paul's Catholic Church, Nampa. Burial will follow in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Nampa.