NWA Capt. Richard 'Dick' Ellis Smith

~ IN MEMORY ~
NWA Capt. Richard Ellis Smith
August 19, 1941 ~ September 4, 2016

 

Notification with the passing of RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Captain Richard 'Dick' Ellis Smith, age 75.  Captain Smith first joined Northwest in 1969...please see obituary information below.  To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home site at 

 http://www.whitesittfuneralhome.com/  or http://www.whitesittfuneralhome.com/obits/obituary.php?id=680204 

As noted on the funeral home website, services will be held at a later date. 

Survived by his wife Karen personal condolences may be sent (per whitepages listing) to the family at

521 N. Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville, MT 59870-6651  ...  (406) 777-3752 

            Thank you,

                ~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  ........................ RICHARD "Dick" Ellis SMITH

         Dick was born August 19, 1941 in Scott City, Kansas to Ellis and Olive Stratton Smith. The only son, Dick was the third of four children. He graduated from Scott City High School. Dick led a colorful life. Never one to stand around and watch, he was always in the center of the action. He received a Masters Degree in Economics from Colorado State University. Dick worked throughout to pay for his education, delivering milk in the Fort Collins area and crop dusting during summers in Iowa. Crop dusting is a dangerous occupation or in Dick's case 'sport'. This was the beginning of his pilot career which lasted throughout his entire life. Dick was married to Karen Coffman in September 1966. Two sons were born of this union: Mark Andrew (b. 1967) and Bradley Richard (b. 1971) Dick was hired by Northwest Airlines in May 1969 and flew for 32 years, retiring as a 747 captain in 2001. His piloting career took him to lands near and far throughout Asia, Europe and North America. While he loved the country life, he also appreciated seeing the world. Never satisfied with just one career, Dick enjoyed and was very successful at building businesses in many fields. He was a first-class entrepreneur: as a youngster Dick profitably raised cattle in Kansas. His layoff from Northwest Airlines in 1970 proved a strong catalyst to look for new ways to support his young family. He and a fellow airline pilot - with few skills outside of the airlines - began a house painting business in the Seattle area. Working two jobs, he even operated a Christmas tree yard that Christmas! This was the beginning of his active life in a multitude of businesses, including the launch of a successful coffee and tea chain "Olive's East" in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis and Denver. He also owned and operated a large Seattle bakery specializing in European cakes and pastries. Both sons worked at these thriving businesses, always appreciating the value of hard work. He also kept a foot in the country by farming two farms in southern Minnesota raising corn, soy beans, hogs and cattle. Dick never did understand why he decided to raise hogs! Always a flyer, Dick built his own runway on the farm and flew his Cessna 182 as often as he could. Continuing to enjoy the fruits of city life, Dick had many great pleasure trips and fishing excursions in Puget Sound on his yacht named "Scotch and Water". In 1979, Northwest Airlines called and asked him to come back. Dick was ready to return to his first love -- flying -- and continue his career as a professional airline pilot. Dick and Karen Johnson were married. During this time Dick traveled to Montana and decided Montana was the place he wanted to be. In 1986 he purchased the 61 Bar Ranch outside Stevensville, MT and started raising cows again! Dick and Karen worked very hard at building the ranch into the beautiful place it is today. In the first year you could always tell where Dick was on the ranch - he was where the smoke was! A lot of clearing was needed. Dick and Karen also restored the original ranch house - built in 1911 - into a very loving and hospitable home. The 61 Bar Ranch became the site for the Smith's legendary branding parties - an annual Bitterroot event. He retired from Northwest Airlines on August 19, 2001. But he continued building his ranch and launched new businesses. Dick, never one to stand idle, invested more time in the cattle business - owning and operating the Great Falls and Missoula Livestock Exchanges. He also enjoyed greatly traveling Montana as a cattle buyer for Fairleigh Feedyards, Scott City Kansas. Dick also was able to spend more time pursuing his love of fishing - all over the Northwest, Alaska and Central America. His boat the "Classy Lady" was well known in Montana. He always looked forward to the annual pheasant shoot in North Dakota with the boys from Minnesota, the Texans and his two sons. Dick was an intelligent and strong man. He could put thought into action and he valued action! Unknown to many, he was a very generous man - helping people and causes that were important to him. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be greatly missed. Dick is survived by his wife Karen; his son Mark and wife Keiko and three grandaughters Hana Ashley, Sena Karina and Aina Marie; his son Bradley and wife Kimberly and two grandchildren Olivia Cecile and Carter Richard; his sisters Shirley Gatewood and Roberta Proctor and a niece and many nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Olive and Ellis Smith and his sister Eva Fairleigh and her husband Floyd Fairleigh. If you wish to honor Dick's memory please make a donation to Animeals (Dick loved animals) at www.Animeals.com 

Arrangements entrusted to Whitesitt Funeral Home, 314 Church St. | P.O. Box 12, Stevensville, Montana, 59870
Phone 406-777-5711 | Fax 406-777-0181  ..  Email: whitesittfh@gmail.com