So on June 15, 2023, Richard (Dick) Hay, age XCIV, used his quoin key to lock up the last page and wrote “30 on the hook and the last page is locked up.”
Dick was born in Coburg, Montana, on July 29, 1928, to Andrew (Dan) and Edna (Rich) Hay. He grew up in Savoy, Montana, and attended grade school in Savory. He attended high school in Harlem, Montana. During his high school years he served an apprenticeship as a linotype operator and printer at the Harlem News. He joined the U.S. Army and served overseas in the Pacific Theater and in Japan.
Following his discharge, he worked for the U & I Sugar Company in Chinook, Mont., for a short time, then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he worked for the Post-Register as a linotype operator. On October 9, 1948, he married Mary C. “Tab” Griffith in Idaho Falls. In 1949, they moved to Hailey, Idaho, where Dick worked for the Hailey Times until he was recalled for active service during the Korean Police Action in the U.S. Army in August 1950. During the time Dick was in the service Tab and their son, Rick, lived in Harlem to be near their relatives.
When he was released from active duty they moved to Rupert, Idaho, in 1953, where Dick worked for the Minidoka County News. In 1954 they moved back to Hailey, Idaho, for the next five years where he was a linotype operator and outdoor sports editor. In October 1959 they moved to Miles City, Montana when Dick accepted a job with the Miles City Star as foreman. HE worked as mechanical superintendent during the major change over from hot metal printing to the offset printing method. He then served as manager of the commercial printing department for four years. He and Steve Jessen purchased the Forsyth Independent on 1 Jan. 1972 and he was publisher of the Independent until it was sold in 1985. In August 1972 he and Robert Tom started H & T Quality Printing in Miles City. He later purchased Mr. Tom’s interest and Dick and his wife, Tab, operated the business until April 1991 when they sold the printing firm.
In 1976 he at Tab started the Rosebud County Press in Colstrip, Mont., and sold the newspaper in 1985. In the 1980’s they purchased some full-blood Tarentaise cattle under the name Tongue River Tarentaise with Art and Sophie Olson. He served as publisher of the two newspapers until they sold their interests in all the businesses except the Tongue River Tarentaise which they operated with Wade and Tammy Olson for several years. He worked part time at M & H Convenience Store in Miles City until August 2015. He also served noon lunches at Highland Park School, which he started doing in 1992. He continued to serve lunches until the fall of 2017 when health problems forced him to give up one of the best and most enjoyable jobs he ever done.
He was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader for 20 years in Miles City, Hailey and Rupert. Both of his sons earned their God and Country Scouting award and one was an Eagle scout and one a Life scout. He was also a Little League coach and umpire for several years. In Idaho he was a certified Hunter Safety Instructor and worked with young people to pass their hunter safety tests. He also helped form a youth rifle cub in Hailey. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling and “playing cowboy” at times. He was a member of the state champion bowling team in 1977-78. He both sponsored and played on the H & T Quality Printing team that won the city champion and also several league championships. He also served several terms as president of the bowling league. Other organizations he belonged to included Kiwanis Club, International Typographical Union, Montana Press Association, American Tarentaise Association, and the Montana Tarentaise Association. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the Army during the Korean Police Action.
He holds U.S. Patent No. 6,715,389 B1, issued April 6, 2004 for a Condiment Packet opening Apparatus, which he name a Brobrijac in honor of his “honorary grandchildren, Brooke and Brittnee Olson, and also his grandson, Jacque Wetmore. This was issued by the United States Patent office.
He is survived by two sons: Rick and his wife Helayne of Ada, Mich.; and Rodney of Omaha, Neb.; six grandchildren: Jessica Wetmore of Billings, MT; Keith (Sonny) and Jacque Wetmore both of Billings; and Aleksandra, Ashley and David Sherman-Hay all of Mich.; six great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons. Also surviving are his “two goodest and bestus friends” and honorary granddaughters Brooke and Brittnee Olson of Miles City and their mother Kym (Scott) Crevier, and honorary great-granddaughter Danika Pyle. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Two special friends who he enjoyed making birthday presents for: Dannon and Traven Olson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tab; one daughter Caroline; two brothers: Blaine and Bill; five sisters: Marybelle Lease, Jean Neely, Ethel Birdwell, Alice Miller and Gloria Miller.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will take place in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miles City Public Library or to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday September 9, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday September 9, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Bobbi Durst Askin says
Our dear wonderful neighbor, so sad to see you are gone. You were an inspiration to all of us in the neighborhood and you gave so many years to mentoring all of us and being a wonderful neighbor and scout leader. My brother and I have so many fond memories of our visits with you. RIP Mr. Hay, you were truly a wonderful man!
Vanna Lancaster Byrd says
Rest in Peace, Dick. I enjoyed working for you at H & T Printing while I was attending MCC.
Mark Browning says
To the Hay family:So sorry to hear this news of a former boss and friend. I enjoyed his intellect and humor. Whether hearing a good joke or telling it, his laugh would force his eyes closed. RIP
Beverly Harris says
Dick was a special man with a warm heart
Roger Provost says
Dick was a wonderful role model. He was certainly “Miles” above the rest.
Deb Jerrel says
One of my most favorite people in this town. Such a genuinely nice man. He’s definitely a fine example of what a good man should be. Rest in peace Mr Hays💔
Shannon Holmen says
He was always a pleasure to deal with at his shop. Class act.
Jan Alexander says
So very sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. We were congenial business associates for years with H & T Printing and Tab, Dick’s wife, and I were luncheon partners for many years – even after we were no longer in business together. My life has grown considerably less blessed since Dick is gone. My condolences to his sons and their families.
Joyce Camper says
Dick and Tab were such a great team! I was lucky to see him just awhile ago and we had a geat visit
talking about all the great memories publishing the Rosebud County Press. He had a great crew . Dick was one of the most interesting and witty guys I ever knew and was hoping to see him again.
Nancy Fillafer says
To the Hay family,
May Dick rest in peace. He was a nice & considerate man. I took care of him in med serg. He will be greatly missed.
Steven Jessen says
Dick was a great life mentor. He taught me so much.
Rene D. says
I sure loved this guy. Such a wonderful man and a joy to work with. I enjoyed his stories and felt the love he had for his family in his story telling. The stories I remember the most are the fun little pranks between him and his grand son. Freezing his gift in water so he had to work at it to get at it. Lol. They just don’t make em like him any more. Good hearted stubborn man with dedication, good values, down to earth, caring and a loving man. The last time i saw him was when I was delivering meals on wheels. I was able to chat to him for a little bit thanks to his family. I will miss him a great deal. I’m very lucky to have such found memories that I can look back on and smile. Thoughts and prays to the family.
Jackie Stroh says
Jacque and family what sad news to hear! Your Grandpa was one of a kind. Such a good soul and always so genuine and had such energy in his soul. I always enjoyed the conversation I had with him. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Rest in Peace Dick!!
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
I’m so sorry to read about Dick, when I got home. My sympathy
Nicole Flemming says
Rest in peace, Dick. You were a wonderful first boss. You and Robert Tom at H&T took a chance on a high school kid who learned she loved the printing business. You were so patient, always willing to teach and share your wealth of knowledge, and an all-around good man. I have wonderful memories of those years. Condolences to the entire Hay family.
Susan Sanderson says
Dick was such a kind, and smart man. I enjoyed visiting with him over the years. RIP Dick, now you and Tab can be
together.
Mary Jane Griffith says
Dick was a father figure for my husband. Tab was Ralph’s sister and Dick was such a positive influence. He quietly did so much good. His North Carolina relatives loved him and looked forward to his visits.
Jeff Hunnes says
I have fond memories of Dick and Tab and kids living across the fence from my friends the Howes, Dick having ink on his hands and the smell of the presses at the Star, a twinkle in his eye, and being a great coffee buddy with my dad. Condolences to the family.
Kevin and Lori Donnelly says
Very good man always enjoyed visiting with Dick.
Will miss him and his story’s. May God be with him and family.
Audrey Haumschild says
RIP Dick . You were such a sweet wonderful person ❤ I loved our visits.
Dan and Linda says
Dan and Linda Stokes
So sorry for your loss. Dick was a good neighbor and a great guy. He will be missed
Herman Venable says
Dick really helped me a lot when I started my real estate business regarding printing my advertising and forms. What I most remember about Disk was his military stories. The most memorable was when he jumped into a sports stadium in Tokyo with a company of other airborne paratroopers to receive the weapons from surrendering Japanese soldiers. He said that the heaviest weapon they had was a 30 cal. machine gun and that there were thousands of Japanese fully suited out with battle gear. He said that if the Japs wanted to, they could have annihilated all the men in his unit, but they did as they were told and just marched in, threw their weapons into a pile and marched out.
He said he got discharged and Korea broke out. The military called him in and saw that he was an explosives expert and said wow, your just the guy we have been looking for.. He said that two days later he was laying on the bow of small boat on the Han river defusing mines.
Dick was a great guy. I am just sorry that his history was not told in his obit, I’ll bet it would have been a great read.
of I am surprised that
Geoff Durst says
I am saddened with the loss of Dick. A good neighbor, Scout Master, a hunting friend and boss. He hired me to work in the job printing department and I learned a lot.
Geoff Durst
TRACEE L RAYMOND-Waples says
I was very sad to see this as Dick was a wonderful man and always pleasant. He was like a miles city icon. He will definitely be dearly missed by all who knew him. Rip Dick!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Miles City has lost a very colorful person in Dick Hay. My sincere sympathy to all the family and friends he had in his lifetime.
Curtis Fillafer says
Rodney and family you are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. Richard was a person who always brought joy and happiness to all who were fortunate to be in his company. I can’t begin to tell you of the many decades of pleasant memories I had with Richard. Richard God Bless you in heaven. I’m so sorry to see you leave us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Terry Lane says
Always thought Dick was a timeless man. He was such a great guy. Two things he told me I’ll never forget when I worked with him. “I think you gotta stick with a job for 20 years to decide if you like it or not” also “can’t really complain about the price of batteries when you’re buying water at 8 dollars a gallon”
Jeff virag says
I will always remember when he was at the star..He said “Jeff; the hardest part of anything or any job is getting started!!! Then the rest is easy”
Del Siegle says
I always enjoyed talking with Dick and Tab on Thursday mornings when I would take the Terry Tribute to H&T to be printed.