Richard Emmett Nearing, 90

Richard Emmett Nearing was called home to the Lord on Nov. 29, 2025, at the age of 90. Richard was born to William Edward Nearing and Mae Hakola Nearing at their family home in Page, Idaho. He was the ninth of 12 children and is survived by his brother, Gerald Nearing, the youngest of Bill and Mae’s children. Jerry and Rich were very close all their lives, and they spent much of their time together.

Richard married Sandra Fae Buroker, and they were married for 63 years. Rich often said, “I don’t know where I’d be or what I would do without her.” Sandy was supportive of his hobbies and ambitions; she was always there to care for him when he was injured or sick, and she was his life partner. Together, they worked to build a comfortable and prosperous life, and together they experienced life’s joys and tragedies.

Rich and Sandy had two sons: Michael, who lives in Spokane, Wash., with his wife, Terri, and Brett, who lived and worked in Coeur d’Alene and preceded Richard in death May 10, 2022.

Rich made his career working at the Bunker Hill Mining Company. He started at the Zinc Plant, Cell Room as an entry-level employee, also referred to as a “Zinc Stripper,” and retired after many years as a Superintendent at the Upper Plant. Superintendent was a position typically held by a person with a college education, so he was very proud of that. He continued on after the Smelter and Zinc Plant closed down and contributed his knowledge to the dismantling and cleanup of the facilities and the surrounding area.

Rich was very dedicated to his work and talked with pride about all the positions and areas he worked at Bunker Hill. He was also very fond of the friendships he built at work, which lasted his entire lifetime. He loved his job and excelled at it, and he passionately supported and enjoyed the co-workers with whom he built those lasting friendships.

He was also equally proud of his accomplishment as Salutatorian of Kingston High School in 1954. His mind was sharp, his memory excellent and his wit and humor unmatched.

Rich was a faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather. He always maintained his optimistic and positive personality, and he constantly gave friends and family the benefit of the doubt. He was a jokester and loved telling tall stories, pulling pranks and making people laugh. He defended and supported everyone he knew and even extended his kindness and compassion to complete strangers. He was generous with his time and resources and cared about all people. 

Rich had a huge heart for dogs! He was known to longtime friends as “Pooch” for his love of dogs and had many dogs over his lifetime and loved them all equally.

Rich had a passion for fishing, hunting, picking huckleberries and camping on his family's river property. When he was young, he enjoyed playing team baseball and basketball and was very athletic. He loved all these things, but he came from the mindset that family was ALWAYS first, and he lived strongly by that belief. He passionately loved his parents, brothers and sisters and supported and cared for them all his life.

In retirement, Rich spent many hours visiting nursing homes and hospitals where family and friends resided due to illness or injury. Other residents quickly became Rich’s friends, and he earned the name of “the Candyman.” Everyone enjoyed his visits with treats of candy, huckleberries and smoked fish. He truly loved and cared about all people.

Rich was nominated by employees at Mountain Valley of Cascadia in Kellogg, Idaho, for recognition by the state of Idaho. He was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” for his loving compassion and observed acts of kindness to all residents.

It was often joked that Rich had “9 Lives” because of the “close calls” he endured in his life. He survived severe burns to most of his back, neck and lower body, an aneurysm while dragging an elk out of the forest, 135 days of hospitalization with Covid Pneumonia, injuries to his face and hands from a blown-up rifle, a smashed hand from an injury at work, and, more recently, multiple age-related injuries and complications. He was as tough as they come, physically and mentally, and was often heard saying, “Oh, it will get better,” and “Don’t let the old man in.” He was old-school tough, for sure.

In addition to his parents, Rich was preceded in death by his son, Brett; his sisters, Maxine Rantannen, Jennie Stout, Pearl Wilson, Mary McCloud, Deanie Windedahl and Elva Meredith; and his brothers, Bruce Nearing, Bucko Nearing and Billy Nearing.

Rich is survived by his wife, Sandy, of their family home in Pinehurst; his son, Michael (Terri) Nearing of Spokane; two grandchildren, Trevor (Ariel) Nearing of Spokane and Summer (Wallace) Bates of Flower Mound, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Willow and River Nearing of Spokane and Halle and Wallace Bates of Flower Mound, Texas; his brother, Jerry (Patricia) Nearing of Pinehurst, Idaho; and many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to list, all of whom he loved just as much as they loved him.

Rich wrote many poems throughout his life that were meaningful to him. His poems are enjoyable to read and share with others, and are filled with his heartfelt devotion and love for his family and for life.

The following poem, he wrote about his Dad:

DAD

Many, many years ago, when we were still just boys. You put a fish pole in our hands and took away our toys. You taught us how to cast a plug, how to whip a fly, How to pick a huckleberry, and climb the mountains high. You taught us how to wade the swamp and shoot the mallard duck. This is where you showed your skill, but us, we needed luck! You took us up on Grizzly, a mountain worn and old, Oh! How we loved to listen to stories that you told. You showed us where the sun would rise, and then where it would set. If there is a prettier site we haven’t seen it yet. You showed us where the bear would sleep when rain did turn to snow. Yes, we’d spend a night or two then homeward we would go. You showed us how to skin a grouse and stalk the white tail deer And how to spot the mighty elk when he was getting near. Now it’s time to take five, we all deserve a rest. But, there’s no denying, our teacher was the best!! We don’t know how to thank you for all that you have done, Except to say without you Dad it would have been no fun!!

Rich Nearing, your memory will live on, and we will all miss you very much.

No services are planned. Memories of Rich and messages of condolence may be shared with his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services of the Silver Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.