Richard C. Thurman

1935 - 2021

Richard C. (Dick) Thurman

Richard C. (Dick) Thurman, age 86, of Missoula, passed away at Providence St Patrick Hospital on October 12, 2021. Dick was born on May 22,1935, the only child of Lyman and May Thurman in Shelby, MT.

His father Lyman worked for the railroad and was transferred various places including the High line Dick graduated from Missoula County High School in 1954. After high school, he joined the United States Army and spent two years active duty, eight in the reserves, and served in Korea. When Dick returned from the Army, he went back to work at the railroad which he had also worked summers and holidays in high school. This job was hard working and dirty.

One day he seen a Policeman in his nice clean uniform and thought this at least would be cleaner job and soon became an officer. Dick worked for the Missoula Police Department from 1959-1979. He worked many divisions within the department. Upon retirement from Missoula PD, he went to work at The University of Montana Police Department from 1979-1997.

Dick always loved the outdoors of Montana, spending time hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. Dick loved his family with all his heart. He was a quiet man and did not show much emotion. He loved spending time with his grandkids and loved the more the better at a camp site. The last 7 years of retirement, he loved traveling to Rockport, TX, which was 2,800 miles from Missoula. He loved helping his wife be a beachcomber.

He also loved his Wednesday morning Coffee in Lolo with other retired officers and a few other friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Shelly Dawn Shatto of Helena in May this year.

Dick leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 42 years, Julie Ann; two sons, Rick Thurman, of Great Falls and Russ Thurman of Missoula; two daughters, Shawna (Marvin) Berg, of Missoula and Cherie (Dave) Cloninger of Anchorage AK; nine grandchildren, Sarah Burkhart of Lolo, Jake (Brooklyn) Thurman of Missoula, Justin (Mychael) Berg of Arlee, Larissa (Mike) Berg, of Huson, Jennifer Shatto of Hamilton, Misty (Greg) Clausen of Livingston, Kaitland (David) Horner of Helena, Jenifer (Chad) Peterson of Centerville, UT, and Cynthia (Jon) Cook, Anchorage, AK.

A private family graveside service will be held. Per Dick's request, no public service will be held. Arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.