Dr. Richard C. Lang, Sr., 81, of Miles City, MT passed away peacefully at the Billings Clinic on Wednesday December 14, 2016.
Richard (Dick) was born in New Ulm, MN to Dr. Ervin and Bertha Lang on August 5, 1935. He graduated from high school in 1953 from Lake Benton, MN. Dick played basketball at the University of MN his freshman year. He was inducted into the US Army in 1956 and became a member of the Army Dental Corp. Following his discharge in 1959 he returned to the University of MN where he attained his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1964, following in his father’s footsteps.
He married Sharon Frang on August 21, 1965 in Newberry, MI. They moved to Morris, MN where he set up his first dental practice. Daughter Kris and sons Rick and Jim were born there. When the kids were old enough to ski they made annual trips to Montana. Dick took a liking to Miles City, and in 1980, decided to relocate his dental practice. He finished out his dental career retiring in 2005 so he could have Saturdays off.
Dick led a very full life and had many interests and hobbies. He loved sports, both participating and spectating. He played basketball, racquetball, handball, ping pong, skiing, and tennis (always trying to beat his daughter Kris). He had a passion for golf playing for 70 years; always walked, never took a cart, and was extremely proud of that. He played on a lot of fun courses in different places and there was always a fun father-son competition when they played each other. He also coached his sons in baseball.
Dick was an avid reader (unless it was instructions), enjoyed playing bridge and cribbage, was a faithful blood donor, and loved music. He attended the Boston Pops at Tanglewood, Hostfest, and enjoyed Neil Diamond and Enoch Light. He supported many community activities in Miles City.
He had an extreme interest in aviation which included obtaining his private pilot license along with building, flying, and mostly repairing remote airplanes with his sons.
Another passion of Dick’s was his garage which was 20 years in the making – a one of a kind with a driving range in the attic. The ’64 Oldsmobile he purchased on the internet and drove home from Kentucky fit nicely in the garage.
Dick’s wife Sharon passed away in 1997 and he married Dorothy (Scalese) Armstrong in June 2005. Dick dabbled in sewing in his earlier days making down-filled ski pants and coats. When he met Dorothy he became very interested in quilting. He made many amazing quilts, some of which were award winning at the Miles City Fair.
On his last birthday, his son Jim, (the golden child), gave him Lederhosen and a Bavarian hat. He was quite fond of this outfit to say the least. He wore it to parties, a football game, and the Maltfest making the front page of the Miles City Star.
Dick is survived by wife Dorothy, 3 children: Kris (Kevin) Kirwin of Billings, Rick (Dena) Lang of Miles City and Jim (Cindy) Lang of the Berkshires; step-daughters: Heidi Armstrong of Cleveland, OH and Stephanie (Guy) Calkins of Stanwood, WA; a sister Marian Reed of Agoura, CA; and 8 grandchildren: Colton, Payton, Charlie, CJ, Cody, Halli, Guy and Paul. He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon and parents Dr. Ervin and Bertha Lang.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the WaterWorks Art Museum, designated for roof renovations or a charity of choice.
The Lang family would like to sincerely thank the doctors and nursing staff at the Billings Clinic for their compassionate care given to Dick during his last days.
Visitation will be on Monday, December 19, 2016, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Services will be Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 1 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with Pastor Schreibeis officiating. Interment will follow at Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 19, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 19, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Jessie and Jim Leidholt says
To all of the Lang family, we are so sorry for the loss of Dick.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Rick and Dena – so sorry for your loss. I am here for you!
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy.
Dannette Cremer says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you in this difficult time.
Sue Stanton says
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Such a wonderful man – he will be missed. I am trying to imagine the quilt that would symbolize his life. I know the pattern would be an intricate display of beauty. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
David Wheeler says
To Rick and family sorry for your loss and I want you to have my thoughts and prayers
Maureen larson says
Dear Lang Family,
I was saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all during this difficult time. So sorry.
Frank J. Tooke says
I’m sorry to note Dick’s passing. He was a great guy and contributor to the community. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Mary says
Condolences to the family
Greg and Linda Losinski says
Our sympathy to Dick’s family. He was a great person!
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT says
DOROTHY AND DICK’S FAMILY …..OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL!
Lavonne Schroeder says
Dorothy, We are so sad to hear the news of Dick’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are certainly with you at this time.
Dennis & Lavonne Schroeder
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
Dear Dorothy,
We are so sorry to hear of Dick’s death. You are in our thoughts and daily prayers. God Bless You.
Mary Ann & Jim
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Dorothy,
We are so sorry to hear about your husband’s death. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Tami Davies says
To Rick, Dena and Boys,
We are very sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. You are in our thoughts and we send you comfort during this difficult time of loss. May the memories help to comfort you in the days ahead.
Jim and Paulette Satter says
Dorothy,Kris,Rick and Jim:
Our deepest sympathy! Wow, I don’t know where to start with all my memories of Dick.
From football discussion, golf and tennis challenges and mostly just talk on how we could
One up each other and then roar with laughter! Our love and prayers?
Linda Hodgson says
Dorothy, so sorry for your loss.
Tvedt Family says
Lang Family , we are so very sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by your many wonderful memories.
All our love – Garryn, Derrick, Dalton & Deegan Tvedt
Tanya Dorvall says
Words cannot express how sorry i am for the loss of Dick. I totally enjoyed the time i worked for your dad. He taught me so much. He was not only a great dentist, but the care and compassion he had for his patients was unbelievable. I also have great memories of the times i spent with your family. Even though years have passed the memories will live in my heart forever. Know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all through this difficult time. Thinking of you…. Tanya
Shawn & Wendy Richards and Family says
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jan Johnson says
Dear Dorothy and family,
So sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. Thoughts, prayers and God’s peace for you at this time.
Jan Johnson
Ray an Terri Schmidt says
Dear Dorothy,
We were so sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. Please know you and all of the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pete Stabio says
My thoughts are with you as you grieve the loss of such a kind and gentle soul. I am so thankful that Dick and Sharon moved their family to Miles City…they and their children were such a positive addition. The Lang’s had a huge impact on my daughter Ann. I so enjoyed having the Lang children in class and watching them play sports. And Dorothy, I am sorry for your loss…but thankful for the time you had with Dick. Within the blended your family there are many amazing people that enhanced my life.
Garth Sleight says
Back before I had dental insurance, I went to Dr. Lang for my dental work. His office and facilities were old-school, basic and simple, much like the dentist offices I remembered as a child. He was competent, kind, and very affordable. As a family we were very appreciative of having him as our dental provider.
My condolences to the Lang family for their loss. May you ever cherish his memory–and those cool Lederhosen and the Bavarian hat!!
Martha Allison says
Sorry for your loss prayers are with you
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Dorothy, Rick, Jim, Kris, and Families, Our condolences on your loss of Dick. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Diane and Doug Ellingson
Mark Browning says
My best wishes to family members; saddened to hear the news about Dick.
Pam Rogge says
Dorothy and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Brigette Satter Brosz says
Sending you thoughts and prayers.
John Scheuering says
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Martha Crandall says
was a beautiful service
Katherine Flint says
Dorothy:
Doug and I were so sorry to hear of Dicks passing. He and Doug solved many of the worlds (and Miles City’s) problems over coffee. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers.
Maureen O'Reilly says
I was so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing and extend my sincere sympathy to you, Dorothy, and all of his family. He will be missed in Miles City. May he rest in peace.
T. Kelly says
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. My heart goes out to the family. Death is something we will never get use to. In fact, God’s Word refers to death as an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). It is comforting to know that very soon our loving Heavenly Father, Jehovah, will remove death once and for all and give us the opportunity to see our loved ones again here on the earth.
Nettie Wittenhagen says
We cherish our memories with the Lang family, lively down the street from us. Our special love to you Kris. We keep you in our hearts.
Love and Prayers,
Keith and Nettie Wittenhagen
Rio Rancho New Mexico