Richard Foss, age 75, of Glendive formerly of Terry passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Nursing Home in Glendive.
Richard was born in Plentywood, Montana on January 31, 1949 to H. Rudy and Mabel Foss. In addition to loving parents and a brother, he was blessed by nearby grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. Family get-togethers were never small. Rick loved the outdoors and fishing ever since he was a small boy. He was also curious about everything and excelled in school. Rick earned a degree in fish and wildlife from MSU. He wanted to do graduate studies in fish; however, he was offered a PhD program in birds – not his favorite subject. He said “Ugh, birds” outloud and the next day joined the Army.
Rick was a medic at Letterman Army Hospital which received severely injured troops from Vietnam. He developed close bonds with the injured troops during their long hospital stay and always held the memory of the many that did not survive. In the 1970’s Russia threatened to invade Alaska, so Rick was then transferred to Fort Wainwright in Alaska. When off duty, Alaska was his great big outdoor playground.
After the Army he joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in a small village on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Being fluent in Spanish and the native language as well as being an expert fisherman and gardener, he rapidly became part of the community. With his medic training he became the town’s doctor. He probably would have spent his whole life there, but the Sandinista Revolution broke out. A helicopter suddenly dropped in to take him to an evacuation plane. Before he knew what was happening, Rick was back in eastern Montana.
He then completed one year of medical technologist training in Colorado. He was excited by a job offer at the Prairie Community Hospital and settled in Terry, Montana. He worked at the Hospital in Terry for over 30 years and at Glendive Medical Center for 20 years, retiring in 2012. He loved his home and life in Terry and spent many days and evenings fishing the Yellowstone which was a big draw to living in Terry. His home is packed with books.
Judy Hopkins and Rick were close friends for over 30 years. In 2011 Judy suffered a stroke and Rick was her faithful caregiver until she passed away in 2018. Rick continued to be an active fisherman until 2021. He has kept a record of every one of the many thousands of fish he has caught since early grade school.
Rick was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Terry and became a deacon. He was active in bible study and helped serve communion.
Rick is survived by his brother Craig of Oregon, Judy’s son Anthony Gebhart and his wife Theresa of Nebraska and numerous cousins and their families.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 156, Terry, MT 59349.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday July 29, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Frontage Road
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday July 29, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Frontage Road
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Share
Lynn Anderson says
Sad to learn of Richard’s passing. He was a very kind man. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Mary Altermatt says
Sorry to hear of Richard’s passing.
What a nice man and such a dedicated employee when the lab tech at Prairie Community Hospital. I’m sure God has a river for him. May he rest in peace.
Larry and Judy Jens says
We knew Rich as a kind, humble and quiet man who liked to fish and garden. He was so patient and caring toward his friend, Judy. But, after reading his obituary, it turns out that we hardly knew him at all! What an interesting life he had! Rest in peace, Rich. You were a good man.
Michele Steyh says
I so enjoyed working with him at the hospital, especially when he was around my mom and his ladies. Rest in peace.
Ron and Shelley (Schultz) Steyh
Jean Trask Brown says
Rich lived next door to my Mom Emilia Trask on Towne street and was always so kind to her with garden stuff when she could no longer have a garden. especially tomatoes and cucumbers that she loved. What a nice man!!! She really loved him for sharing….Rest in peace Rich.
Jean Trask Brown says
Rich was such a nice man..He always shared garden stuff with my mom when she was unable to garden. Especially tomatoes and cucumbers that she loved. REST IN PEACE RICH,
Gen Severson says
I still keep in touch with 6 Plentywood Class of 67ers, one of whom shared Richard’s obit. All were saddened to hear of his passing. “The rest of his life” was remarkable! He likely achieved more than anyone else in our class? At least more than anyone I know–including the six of us! Condolences to those who were blessed to have known him these last 57 years. Not to have been you is my great loss.
RuthE says
RIP Richard. I went to school with Richard. It was so good to read what his life was like after high school. I remember him as kind, quiet and humble. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Richard Foss.
Christine Mavis says
Rich was very loved by his coworkers at Glendive Medical Center. I enjoyed many interesting topics of conversation with him. He was a kind and very intelligent man.
I have no doubt that he is in Heaven with our Lord!
Many prayers go up for his family. 🙏🏼😇⛪️
L Koehler says
Words convey so little when hearts feel so much. I worked at the hospital/nursing home in Terry at the same time as Rich for almost 20 years. I thought I knew him but after reading his obit I wish I had spent more time visiting with him! He was so kind to Judy. RIP old friend.
Jo Arlene Nelson Ausk says
We were so lucky that Richard joined the Presbyterian church in Terry. We shared some Plentywood stories. He told me how much I reminded him of my Mom Mary Lou. That warmed my heart. I know my folks so liked his Dad Rudy. He did amazing things with his life which few knew about. His care for Judy was selfless. God Bless you Rich.