Kurt H. Richardson

Kurt Henry Richardson, 81, of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away on February 1, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer and a rare skin condition. His life was anything but ordinary - it was a journey shaped by survival, service, adventure, heartbreak, and enduring love.

Orphaned during World War II and adopted through the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, Kurt's story began with resilience. He was raised in Connecticut, unknowingly living less than 30 miles from the woman who would one day become the great love of his life - though fate would take nearly four decades to bring them together.

Kurt answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam era, stationed in Alaska as a medic. There, he treated wounded soldiers returning from Southeast Asia and cared for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The work left its mark. Though he carried the unseen wounds of PTSD, he did so with quiet bravery and determination.

Following his military service, Kurt set out to see America. He traveled from coast to coast, learning trades, mastering skills, and working as a truck driver and handyman. He built, repaired, fixed, and moved - never afraid of hard work, always ready for the next chapter.

That chapter arrived in the early 1990s in Tularosa, New Mexico, when he met Nancy Landt while working as a carpenter and handyman. Nearly 18 years earlier, Kurt had found a skeleton key that he carried with him, trying it in doors along his travels. It never fit - until the day he helped Nancy with her remodeling project. His key fit her door perfectly. It was a moment that felt like destiny, and from that day forward, they began building a life together.

In 1998, Kurt and Nancy moved to Moscow, Idaho. A year later, they found land along Santa Creek and built their home from the ground up with their own hands - a true testament to their partnership and shared spirit. Together, they brought out the best in one another.

Nancy's passing in 2012 from cancer left Kurt heartbroken. The loss nearly unraveled him, but with the steady support, patience, and love of friends and family, he found his footing again. He eventually settled at Valley Vista in St. Maries, where he enjoyed old movies, lively conversation, and the company of his feisty, affectionate cats.

Kurt is survived by his stepdaughter, Shauna Ayers, her husband Kevin, and his beloved grandchildren, Katherine and Jacob.

At his request, Kurt will be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered with those of his beloved Nancy - reunited once more.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Veteran's Outreach Center or Hope's Haven Animal Shelter, both in St. Maries.

No formal services are planned at this time.