Richard Lewallen

1953 - 2024

Richard Lewallen

February 27, 1953 - November 28, 2024

BILLINGS - Richard was born in Billings, Montana on February 27, 1953 and passed away at home on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024 with his wife, son and hunting dog at his side. He was a lifelong member of the Billings community.

Richard had an aptitude and passion for education. He attended Billings Public Schools and spent the summer of his junior year in Switzerland as an A.F.S. student. He brought home a cheese fondue recipe from Switzerland which became the family's traditional meal on New Year's Eve for over 40 years. He graduated with honors from West High in 1971 and continued his education at Northwestern University in their Honor's Program for Medical Education. Upon graduating in 1977, Richard traveled to Nepal to intern at one of the most isolated mission hospitals in the world. The last forty miles to reach the hospital had to be done on foot. He said he felt as though he had been transported back to Biblical times as the most prevalent diseases were leprosy and tuberculosis. The conditions were primitive. Electricity for taking x-rays and running the lights for surgery was provided by a generator. Richard experienced a huge culture shock when he returned to the United States with the easy access to electricity, clean water, grocery stores, and modern transportation. After his time in Nepal, Richard began his internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This was followed by a Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship at the University of Manitoba Children's Hospital in Winnipeg, Canada. Richard returned to Billings in 1983 and joined Orthopedic Associates which later became Ortho Montana. He felt blessed to practice with a dynamic group of partners throughout the years. Richard retired from surgical practice in June of 2015 but continued to provide follow-up support to his pediatric patients for another eighteen months.

Richard met Patti Kjelland during his internship at Mayo Clinic. They were married on May 5, 1979 at a replica of the Borgund Stavkirke church in Rapid City, South Dakota. Richard introduced Patti to the natural wonders of Montana and the neighboring states. They enjoyed time together backpacking in the Beartooth Mountains and Wind River Range, floating the Salmon River in Idaho, canoeing Montana rivers, as well as downhill and cross country skiing. Richard and Patti also enjoyed van camping in their 1987 Volkswagen Westfalia. After their son was born in 1989, they built a cabin along the East Rosebud river. The cabin was a portal to love, laughter, s'mores and the occasional flipped canoe.

Richard loved sharing his outdoor and hunting passions with his son, David. They had many adventures together–hiking the Beaten Path in Montana and the Alps in Switzerland, fishing in Alaska, hunting in New Zealand and Argentina, biking in France, a photo safari in Africa along with numerous hunting, camping, backpacking and skiing trips in Montana. Richard's favorite times were hunting with David. These times, although often spent in silence as to not spook the animals, offered times of connection, conversations and tall tales for later retelling. In 2006, David assisted Richard in harvesting a Boone and Crockett BigHorn sheep in the Missouri Breaks. Richard was a patient, loving and compassionate dad who occasionally wrote life advice to David on the much dreaded yellow legal pad. David was relieved when Richard finally retired the yellow legal pad once he was happily married to Rebekah.

Richard was an avid big game, waterfowl, upland bird, and archery hunter. In 1991, he purchased a working farm and cattle ranch on Bluewater Creek east of Fromberg and enjoyed many hunting adventures on the ranch with his black labs. Over a twenty-five year span, he hunted on five continents and harvested all four species of North American Wild Sheep. Richard also supported and held offices in organizations that sought to protect hunting rights and habitat for wildlife. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Montana Chapter of Safari Club, National Safari Club, Wild Sheep Foundation and Montana Bowhunters Association. During his retirement, Richard became an avid Sporting Clays shooter. He pursued lessons with a passion and became a Level 1 Instructor. He especially enjoyed introducing new shooters to the world of shotgun sports. Richard served as president of Sporting Clays at the Billings Rod n Gun Club and treasurer of the Montana Safari Club.

Richard had many interests and talents. He was an avid reader of history, a yearly subscriber to the Billings Symphony and Billings Studio Theater and especially enjoyed Baroque Music Montana concerts. Richard dressed up as Santa Claus every Christmas and delighted the children of Ortho Montana's staff as well as the children of family and friends for 44 years.

By far, the greatest joy during Richard's retirement years was becoming Papa to granddaughter, Evelyn. He eagerly opened his phone first thing every morning to see a daily photo of her on Tinybeans. FaceTime gave Richard the opportunity to watch Evelyn grow. Her smiles, giggles, and waving filled his life with love. In recent weeks, Richard was overjoyed to learn he would be Papa to a second grandchild due in 2025.

Richard was blessed to have lifetime friends Bill Schuyler, Steve Hubley, Clayton Fryer, Don Zimmerman and Moses Rodriguez. David Bryer, Gary Smith, Clay Schwartz, Mike Davis and others became good friends later in his life.

Richard is survived by his wife Patti, son David (Rebekah), granddaughter Evelyn; sister Carol Matthews (Matt); sister Jean Krause (Steve); nephew Eric Talley (Christina); niece Christina Stick (Dan); niece Carrie Krause (Paul Lachapelle) and niece Bobbi McIntosh (Lou).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Chapel (Broadwater Entrance - Building C) on January 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith Chapel (designate for Missions), 517 Shiloh Road, 59106, Billings Rod n Gun Sporting Clays, 2931 Rod & Gun Club Road, 59106 or a charity of your choice.