Richard Forsyth

In loving memory of our husband, father and grandfather Richard "Dick" Steven Forsyth, age 80, of Spokane, Wash., who passed away June 16, 2005.

Dick was born Nov. 8, 1924 in Springville, Utah, son of the late Peter and Ellen Forsyth, who immigrated to the United States from Scotland a few years earlier.

He grew up in Chinook and joined the Air Force the day after he graduated from high school in 1943 during World War II. He served at several bases in Germany until he was discharged in 1946.

Dick met and married his wife of 56 years, Betty Watkins Forsyth, in 1949 in Havre, where Dick worked for Standard Oil for 10 years. They began a new adventure in 1963 when they bought a small motel in Whitefish.

They sold the motel in 1973, and Dick became maintenance supervisor at the Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He worked there for 17 years until he retired in 1990. In 1991, they sold their three-acre home in Whitefish and moved to Spokane to be nearer to family.

Dick will be remembered for his kind quiet ways, the large abundant garden he grew in Montana, and his ability to "fix anything." He had a great affection for the dogs in his life, especially a brown and white Springer spaniel named Abby.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Sharon Forsyth, sister Margaret Forsyth, brother William Forsyth, and great nephew Ryan Forsyth.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty J. Forsyth, of Spokane; his daughter Diane Ward and son-in-law Ron Ward, of Spokane; grandson Tyler Ward, of Cheney, Wash.; sister-in-law Ella Forsyth, of Moses Lake, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews. He was especially close to nephews Peter Forsyth, of Spokane, and Dave Forsyth, of Seattle.

The family suggest memorials be made to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, in Spokane.