Richard Garlough, 85
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 day, 2 hours AGO
Richard Dean Garlough, 85, was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and good friend, who will be missed dearly.
He lived in Columbia Falls most of his life and passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2026, in Kalispell.
Richard was born in 1940 in New Deal, Montana and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1958. He had a long career in the timber industry at the Superior and Stillwater sawmills.
He was a talented machinist, and he enjoyed fixing and building anything, as he appreciated a good challenge. He also loved extreme hiking, river rafting, exploring trails on his Honda 90 and spending quality time with family. He tagged many major peaks in Glacier Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness with his close hiking buddies, including "bear bait." In retirement, he volunteered at the local elementary school as a mentor for at-risk children. He was a devout member and volunteer at Saint Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls for the last 50 plus years.
He is survived by his sister, Sharon Klemann, his wife, Suzanne, his children, Sandra Ott (Glenn), Robert Garlough (Cynthia), Larry Garlough, MaryAnn Hotchkiss (Wes) and John Garlough (Kristina), several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his two kitties.
Service arrangements are still being made.