Richard A. Tierney

9/3/1916 — 7/2/2016

Service Date: 7/16/2016
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Dick passed Saturday, July 2, 2016, in peace and comfort at his son's home, of natural causes. He was born Sept. 3, 1916, to William and Louise (Evitts) Tierney in Genesee, the baby boy of 10 children and last survivor of his siblings. Nurtured by his older sisters and schooled in competition by his older brothers, he was destined for a quality education. Thanks to his oldest brother, Will, he graduated from Moscow High school at 15 years old and from the University of Idaho in 1936 at the age of 19 - at that time the youngest male graduate in the history of the university. He taught high school physics, math, history and coached at Athol, Idaho, and later St. Maries until the war started. During the summers, he and his brother, John, operated Tierney Roller Rinks, a mobile roller skating business that brought recreation and entertainment to the farming communities throughout northern Idaho and eastern Washington. Many patrons have fond memories of skating with the Tierney boys sporting their white shirts and black bow ties. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and navigator on B-17 "Flying Fortress" heavy bombers serving in the 381st Bomb Group at Ridgewell Aerodrome, England.

His first mission was bombing behind the lines of the D-Day Invasion in June 1944, St. Lo, France. On Sept. 10, 1944, he was shot down by German anti-aircraft near Stuttgart, Germany, captured and interred at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. After nine months and near starvation, he was liberated in May 1945 and returned to Lewiston to serve as a Veterans Affairs officer, assisting veterans to attain gainful employment and start businesses. He married Dorothy Tegge and together they purchased a small neighborhood grocery at 11th Avenue and 17th Street. Under the motto, "If we don't have it, you don't need it," Dick's Grocery was open seven days a week and on holidays, and provided groceries and innovative toys, hula hoops, Frisbees, 3-1 model car kits and baseball pitch backs, among many more novelties. In 1964, with his brother Ed, he built the Mighty Mart at the same location. In 1966, Dick remarried to Esther (Greenfield) Berger. Dick and Esther acquired some property outside of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at Round Prairie Creek, where they loved entertaining family, friends and neighbors. The time shared in dad's/grandpa's garden was the best. After Ed retired, Dick and his son, Rick, converted the Mighty Mart basement into a first-class toy store. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his family, hunting big game and birds with his brother, Ed, and anyone who would join, becoming a renowned goose hunter.

Generous, humble, kind, patient, frugal and conservative were Dick's defining characteristics. He is survived by his son, Rick; stepchildren Dick Berger, Doug Berger and Jackie (Berger) Boston; grandchildren Richard A. "Drew" Tierney and Jillian (Tierney) and husband Bryan Gill; stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his birth family; wife Esther; and most of his friends. Each day you will be missed and your life lessons remembered, Dad.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Normal Hill Cemetery on the southwest side. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimers Association in memory of the care he gave to his departed wife, Esther.