We are here to remember Richard John Albanese, Father of Lisa Albanese and grandfather of Arazia Ruffino.
He died in the early evening of October 3, 2018 in Hysham, Montana spending time with the people he cared about very much. His death was due to natural causes.
Rick, as his friends knew him, was born in Casper, Wyoming on November 15, 1952 to John Salvatore Albanese and Evelyn Gerda Jacobsen-Albanese. He was the youngest of two children, and the only son.
He lived a free-spirited life that most young men lived growing up in Wyoming. It was open high prairie and unexplored land for hundreds of miles in all directions.
He attended Casper College and then Western New Mexico University where he graduated in 1977. Through his many life experiences, he decided to pursue a degree in law and entered the University of Wyoming Law School in 1978.
He married in 1981. After graduation he passed the bar exam in 1981 and went to work in Thermopolis, Wyoming as the deputy County Attorney for Hot Springs County, working with Michael Messenger and later Barton Voight.
He made many friends in his hobbies and pursuits in life. Many people knew him as an avid fly fisherman and hiker of the mountains of Wyoming and everywhere he went. He was well known for being a great chef, Chicken Cacciatore being his favorite recipe that would “wow” people everywhere he cooked it.
Some of his biggest heroes include Clint Eastwood. He loved his ideas he had as an actor, he even named one of his horses after him. I remember Eastwood being a fantastic horse.
His daughter, Lisa Michelle, blessed his life in 1985. In 1987 he moved to Powell Wyoming to fill the Deputy County Attorney position for John Housel.
Rick divorced in 1996 and a few years later decide to spread his wings and pursue private practice, filling in as circuit court judge, public defender and wherever there was a niche to be filled. Regardless of whether a person liked or disliked Richard, no one could deny that his heart was in being a lawyer.
He remarried briefly to Darcy Critchfield and although their Union did not last, they remain friends.
Like most people, he faced his own challenges and tribulations in life. Some of the things he faced were somewhat tragic, and some of the things were normal everyday challenges. Unlike most people, he kept most of his issues very close to the vest.
His close friends loved him all the same anyway. His life was never stale, and he never quit finding inventive ways of achieving his goals.
Although Richard J. Albanese is gone in body and spirit, his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of his friends, relatives, and all that knew him.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 P.M.
Saturday October 20, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 P.M.
Saturday October 20, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Michealann Althoff says
I am deeply saddened of Rick’s passing. He was a brilliant attorney and I enjoyed working with him as his secretary. He was kind and compassionate to me and we became very good friends. He loved to cook and was an awesome Chef !!! He would ask me for dinner quite often. I loved his Chicken Cacciatore!
The world has lost an incredible man but Heaven has gained an incredible Soul!!!
Hunter Patrick says
Rick Albanese, Ken Koski, John Lake, good men all three, all gone, much too soon.
Barbara Perrine says
So sorry to hear about Rick. He was a very kind and compassionate man. He was a great lawyer and we often used his services. He could put you in touch with lawyers who were really good in a specific field. Thought about him often when he moved from Powell. He was a good man. He will be missed.
Prayers.
John Polisini says
Rick and I spent a lot of time hiking the remote areas of The Wind Rivers and other Wyoming mountain ranges as young men fresh out of law school with our other friends from the Wyoming Law School class of 1981.
He was an avid fly fisherman and a good man. He will be missed, but not forgotten. I spent the day going through pictures of our hiking and camping trips and remembering the great times we had together.
Larry Donovan says
Rick was a classmate, a friend, and a former employee of mine. He was “A Good ‘Ol Country Lawyer” I was sorry to hear of his troubles, and saddened to hear of his passing. I will always remember that funny little smile of his. RIP my friend
Denise McGonigal says
I have thought of Rick often throughout the years. He was a great attorney and a very decent human being! When I saw an opportunity to ask about him this isn’t what I expected to hear. I have a lot of respect for this man.
Robert Phillips says
Rick was my best friend,when he lived in thermopolis,we went deer,hunting every year and slew many ducks and pheasants,l still remember hunting over his lab sam,a good man lost to soon
Kay Severson says
I am so sorry he is gone and I won’t hear his thoughts and chuckles again. I admired him tremendously and I am blessed he was a part of my life. Love you Rick
Judy says
I was very sad to learn of Rick’s death. I have treasured memories of our time together! Prayers with his daughter and his family. May your soul Rest In Peace!
Trish Sowards says
I worked with Rick as a psychologist on quite a few cases in Powell when he was county attorney there. He was always kind, competent and helpful. I’m sorry to hear he has passed on.