Richard Garlough, 85

Obituary of Richard Dean Garlough.

Richard was a beloved Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, and a good friend and will be missed dearly. 

Richard lived in Columbia Falls, Montana most of his life and passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2026 at the age of 85 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. Richard also loved extreme hiking, river rafting, exploring trails on his Honda 90, and spending quality time with family. Richard has 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 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 and great grandchildren, and his two kitties.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at St. Richard Catholic Church in Columbia Falls.