Richard "Dick" Boettcher was born in Glasgow, MT on January 9, 1937 to Arthur and Mildred Boettcher and joined older brother Art. He started early with a twinkle in his eyes, a sharp wit, and an insatiable curiosity. He still had all three when he passed on June 30, 2024 in Helena with his family by his side. His life was filled with friends from the various places he lived and worked and the hobbies that kept him young. He was raised in Neihart, Great Falls, and Shelby and lived in Seattle during the war. He loved to tell about living near Boeing Field and watching the P-17s practice dog fights over the hill from their home. He played sports and was a founding member of the infamous "Blunder Brothers" at Shelby High School with his best friend, Gary Dyrdahl. His classmates knew of his love of the Brooklyn Dodgers and his sense of adventure. Dick attended his first year of school at the College of Puget Sound and another at University of Montana before deciding college was not for him.  He spent two years in the Army, including time in Korea, and then worked delivering mail for the post office in Great Falls. He and his friends attended many Great Falls Electrics baseball games, and he was there to witness the first Pioneer League perfect game in August 1951. His game scorecard was signed by Idaho Falls pitcher Ken Kimball and Dick was disappointed that his mother threw it away at some point. It was around that time that Dick joined the Montana Highway Patrol (badge 244) and started a 30 year career he was always very proud of. It took him from the training academy at Fort Harrison to his first patrolman post in Plentywood. There he met a young waitress who thought he was a grumpy! He convinced Roxy Angermeier otherwise, and they married six months later. Maybe it was his pilot's license and banjo picking that won her over. They spent almost 59 years on their adventure together. While still in Plentywood, their son Rod was born. A few months later, Dick's patrol career took them to Lewistown. There they added daughter Donya to the family. When he was promoted to Sergeant (badge 146), the family moved and made their home in Deer Lodge. Next, he was transferred to a post in Kalispell, where he later retired. After retirement, Dick continued his love of driving for Rocky Mountain Transportation and anytime someone wanted to see a part of his beloved state.  He and Roxy moved to Helena to enjoy their grandkids' activities. Along the way, Dick enjoyed collecting railroad memorabilia and was always at the Helena Railroad Fair upselling everyone passing by his table with a treasure or two. He took up golf for several years and was involved with the opening of the Western Montana Railroad Historical Association Museum in downtown Helena. (We were not allowed to say he was "playing" trains, but instead that he was down "running" trains when tinkering with his H.O. layout.) Dick loved bluegrass music, the Sunday morning Lonnie Bell Radio show, facts about Montana, any math challenge, and he rarely missed an opportunity to get in some daily exercise. He was proceeded in death by his parents. His wife Roxy survives him as do his children, Rod (Barb) in Billings and Donya (Trevor) Parrish in Helena and grandchildren Shelbey Parrish (Steve Bassett) in Missoula and Brady Parrish in Florida. He also leaves step-grandson Jason Schrumph (and Jason's daughter Audrey) in Salt Lake City, UT,  his brother Art Montana (Asenath LaRue) in Lone Rock, WI ; nephews Scott (Aprile Lanza) in Pasadena, CA and Curt Boettcher (Cheri) in Atlanta, GA; cousin Jack Boettcher in Great Falls; sister-in-law Della Nielsen in Plentywood; and brothers-in-law Fred Angermeier in Yuma, AZ, and Elmer (Sue) Angermeier in Coon Rapids, MN, along with several nieces, nephews, and dear friends, who were all special to him. A service to celebrate Dick's life will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 at Simple Cremation MT at 315 E. Sixth Ave., Helena, MT.

Memorials to honor Dick can be sent to the Montana Hope Project (PO Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604) or to the Western Montana Railroad Historical Association (PO Box 2016, Helena, MT 59624).

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family

Live broadcast will start approximately 15 minutes prior to the service.