Richard Fliehler

Richard "Hog Dick" Fliehler, 56, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009, near Bigfork as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on March 5, 1953, in Arlington, Iowa, to Donald and Dorothy (Astor) Fliehler.

Dick received his early education in Arlington, graduating from Starmont High School in 1971. He joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1973. Dick went right into trade school and worked as a machinist in Fayetteville, N.C., until moving back to Iowa in 1979. There he attended a welding trade school before moving to the Flathead Valley in 1981. Dick worked at various jobs around the valley and mastered every profession or hobby he undertook. He worked to support the style of life he chose.

He met Helen Bushby in 1983 and they became companions in 1996. He would often talk about the "3 H's' that were the love of his life: horses, Harley's and Helen.

Dick had a tremendous love of life and he had the ability to focus on what was important at the moment. If it was hunting season, he hunted; if it was mushroom season, he was harvesting mushrooms. He was a member of the United Veterans, the American Legion and the Montana Legends. He loved all of his family, whether related by blood or not.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Linda Vanek. He is survived by the love of his life, Helen Bushby of Kalispell; four brothers, Doug (Julie) Fliehler of Winthrop, Iowa; Larry (Brenda) Fliehler of Arlington, Iowa; Bruce (Robin) Fliehler of Arlington, Iowa; and Terry (Joan) Fliehler of Allison, Iowa; one sister, Brenda (Mike) Sullivan of Marion, Iowa; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, especially Abby Fliehler and Jessi (Al) Mart. Dick is also survived by Helen's family — mother Ruth Bushby of Kalispell; daughter Kodi (Mat) Sohl of New Jersey; and two sons, Kyle (Katie) Nace of Kalispell, and Ross (Serena) Holcomb of Bigfork.

Memorial services for Dick will be held in conjunction with those of Mitchell Kopczyk on Friday, May 29 at the Crossroad Christian Fellowship in Bigfork at 2 p.m. Friends and family are invited to the Rocky Mountain Road House for a pot luck gathering at 4 p.m. Dick's family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Richard Fliehler Memorial Fund, c/o Flathead Bank, 800 Grand Ave. Bigfork, MT 59911.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dick's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Dick's guest book.