Richard Dean Stremcha, 77, passed away on January 16, 2019 at Peace Hospice in Great Falls with his wife, son and daughter by his side. On January 12, 2019 he suffered a massive stroke and was hospitalized at Benefis Hospital and was moved to Peace Hospice on January 15, 2019.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will be held Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Richard was born in Great Falls, Montana on December 26, 1941 to Joseph and Grace Stremcha. He attended public schools in Great Falls, Hogeland, and Havre. Richard enlisted in the Navy in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1962. He attended college part time at Northern Montana College also in Havre.
He married Carolyn Patera on January 7, 1963 of Havre, and to this union they had one son Anthony Ernest and one daughter Tami Lin.
Richard went to work at Northern Tire Company in Havre and joined the Havre Police Department in 1964 while continuing to work part time at Northern Tire Co. Climbing the ranks at the Havre Police Department he became Chief of Police in 1983. He served as Chief until his retirement in 1987.
Upon retirement, Richard and Carolyn moved to the Missouri River Canyon south of Cascade where he owned and operated his own business, Canyon Repair. After 31 years of living in this scenic canyon they purchased and moved into a new home on the outskirts of Great Falls in 2018.
Richard was a hardworking man who took pride in whatever projects he took on. There was nothing he couldn’t do. He will be deeply missed.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.
