Richard Betts

1929 - 2022

Richard (Dick) Betts

Richard (Dick) Betts, 93 of Missoula, Montana passed away at his home on April 18th, 2022. He was born on April 1, 1929 in Davenport, Iowa to Arthur and Katherine Augustine. He graduated from Gunnison Colorado high school in 1947. Dick went onto attend Western State College in Gunnison and moved to California where he graduated from John Muir College in Pasadena on June 1951. He received his BS in Forest Management from Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, Colorado on June 1954.

Dick spent a few summers working for the USFS on a lookout in Sandpoint, Idaho. He also never hesitated to work on fire crews in Colorado and California. He started his BLM career in Eugene, Oregon where he met his wife, Marian Lamb. They married on August 18, 1956 and had three children before he transferred in 1961 to the BLM office in Missoula, Montana.

Richard took every opportunity to get outdoors. Whether it be patrolling at Marshall ski area or hunting (walking his gun) for that elusive elk,moose,deer or antelope. He cycled the TOSRV 21 times. Once with his youngest daughter, Julie and eight times with his son, Jim. He was fortunate to be able to retire at 59 and took up skeet (competitive) shooting, and was part of the Monday morning crew at the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club. Dick also enjoyed golfing several times a week, riding his mountain bike, fly fishing and gardening.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marian of 62 years who passed in 2018. He is survived by his four children. Teresa Betts, Missoula. Ron (Joy) Betts, Florence. Jim Betts, Spokane, Washington and Julie Kedzior, Colorado. Two grandchildren, Katrina Kedzior and Steven Betts.

The family is extremely grateful for Richards caregivers; Ashley, Bev, Danielle, Jenn, June and Kim. They also wish to thank the wonderful staff at Hospice of Missoula.

No services are planned at this time.