Richard Hirsch

Richard G. Hirsch, 78, of Great Falls, died Feb. 27, 2017, at Peace Hospice.He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 9, 1939, and was adopted by Mathilde and Anton Hirsch of Sleepy Eye, Minn., when he was eight years old. He graduated high school in 1957 and enlisted in the United States Air Force the same year. He served in Okinawa, the Philippines, Vietnam and various stateside assignments. He began his Air Force career as a radar technician, and later worked as a personal affairs specialist and facility manager for the 564th Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base.He met his wife Vonnie when they worked in the same building on Malmstrom. They married on Oct. 23, 1971, and recently celebrated 45 years of marriage with a family party at the Country Club.Rick retired from the Air Force in May 1977 and worked various jobs in sales, including Safelite Auto Glass as a sales rep for 18 years when he retired again. Never one to sit still, he then started driving a school bus for 12 years until various illnesses really made him retire.Rick loved boating and camping with the family at Holter Lake and Lake Alva. He was a gourmet cook and his culinary skills inspired his children and grandchildren. For 10 years, he and Vonnie had R and V Catering and traveled the state, and the whole family pitched in to help. His specialty was whole hogs.Survivors include his wife Vonnie; daughter Jacque (Larry) Gavuzzi of Carson City, Nev.; sons Arlen (Johanna) Hirsch of Tonopah, Nev., Craig Court of Missoula, and Brian (Teresa) Court of Great Falls; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.The grandkids called him Grumpa because that was who he was, but he loved them all and he would have given them the shirt off his back.Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home, and a celebration of life is planned for a later date.Memorials may be made in Rick's name to a charity of the donor's choice.