Rick Cottingham celebrated his heavenly birthday when he passed from this earth on the morning of July 20, 2023, with his family by his side.  He fought a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.

It is impossible to sum up his life and the kind of man he was in only a few paragraphs, but here goes: Rick was born on Thanksgiving morning, November 25th, 1947 to Jim and Kay Cottingham. Jim and Kay raised Rick and his sister, Jacque, in the Helena area. Growing up, Rick always had a sense of wonder and was a curious soul; developing his love for learning and problem-solving. He was proud to be a third generation Cottingham to attend Central Elementary School. He graduated in 1966 from Helena High School.

After finishing at HHS he joined nine other men to build a trail from Refrigerator Canyon to Meriwether Campground through the heart of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area. Living these summers in the wilderness he thought he learned "most everything you need to know" under the wisdom of Cloycie "CE" Mann. In 1968 he enlisted in the US Army Reserves and spent the next six years in the "wearing of the green." During his life he worked as a member of Helena Police Department, Department of Natural Resources, USGS, as a bartender, construction worker, and at the City of Helena Water Plant. He spent thirteen years training water plant operators and trouble shooting for Montana Water Treatment Systems. He managed compliance and oversight of seven EPA drinking water standards, participated in twelve Comprehensive Performance Evaluations, ten to fifteen training seminars, and two large water schools. He spent 20 years increasing his friendships tending bar at O' Toole's where he always thought he should have been paying Bill to work for him… and probably was!

Rick was briefly married in 1969 and was blessed with a daughter, Shauna Marie. In 1978 he met the love of his life, Beth, at Hap's Bar on Columbus Day Weekend. Beth was with a fellow nursing student and began choking on a peanut. Rick rushed over to provide aid!  Since then they were inseparable. In 1981, they were blessed with a son, Jim.

Anyone who knew Rick would call him a friend. Whether they were part of his and Beth's faith family at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Helena Food Share, participating in political activism (marching at the State Capitol Building, writing letters to area newspapers as well as to representatives and senators in both Helena AND Washington DC), or lending help to anyone in need. There are no words to fully express the amount of love, compassion, generosity, good humor, and community that Rick spread everywhere he went, with everyone he met. He had The Time for anyone he came in contact with. He had a knack for making everyone around him feel as though they truly matter.  He saw and believed in The Best in everyone.

As much as he will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him, he will be so equally by all The Little Critters of the world. Employing his talent for craftsmanship he built countless houses and feeders for the birds and squirrels of the world. Horses that were otherwise characterized as untamed were fully at ease around him. Many agree Rick could be called an Animal Whisperer. For most of his life he has also provided a home for countless dogs, the occasional goldfish, and at one time, a crab.

Speaking of his talent for craftsmanship, he also built and "MacGyver'd" many tools or other nice things for use around the house or yard.  He could hang a display of Christmas lights with the best of em'. He built countless shelves, tables, mechanisms for making yard work and other chores easier, or even a way to hang nice clothes in the car for a long trip. His senses of fun, magic, adventure and mischief made every day feel special, whether a holiday or not.

Many such magical moments occurred in the great outdoors: hiking, golfing, bicycling, motorcycle riding, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing or snowshoeing. You name it; he was willing to try it. Some of his favorite places include: The Elkhorn Mountains, Rattlesnake Gulch, MacDonald Pass, The Missouri River, Lochsa, ID, Glacier Park, Yellowstone, pretty much any lake, stream, mountain, or forest in Big Sky Country.

He was a lover of music and the arts, as well. He loved outdoor concerts such as The Capital City Band, Helena's Symphony Under The Stars, and was a faithful attendee ("survivor" as they say) of Aber Day in Missoula. He almost always had music going: in the car on an errand or trip, while tinkering, fixing, crafting, or building in the yard or his shop, or as a year-round barbeque enthusiast, and on kitchen adventures with Beth.

As you can see: living in relationship was important to Rick: relationship with God, people, animals and Mother Earth.

He is survived by his wife, Beth, sister Jacque (Jerry) Weiland, brother Michael (Marilyn) Plymale, Aunt Marie Wild, his daughter, Shauna (James) Hanson, his son Jim, grandchildren: Coty & Justin Hanson, great grandchildren: JJ, Oliver and Jayme, and his dog Leo.  His cousins: Pam Avelino and Charlene Blalock, and numerous special nieces, nephews, and friends.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of  Rick's Life will be held on September 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park, behind the bandshell. Memorials are recommended to Helena Food Share, Helping Hands of Chippewa Valley (HHFOC Distribution Center,930 Galloway St.  #25, Eau Claire, WI, 54703), and Ram Strength Lubick Foundation (c/o Michelle Boyle, 2221 Baldwin St., Fort Collins, CO, 80528). Or the next time you see someone with a sign needing help, stop and lend a hand.