Richard K. Talbott

10/13/1945 — 3/9/2019

Service Date: 4/6/2019
Get Directions to Service

Send a Condolence

Richard Karney Talbott died on Saturday, March 9, 2019, from complications of pneumonia and severe dementia, at Guardian Angel Homes under hospice care.

Richard was born in Moscow to Loyal and Frances Talbott on Oct. 12, 1945. He had various odd jobs growing up in Moscow: a paper route for the “Daily Idahonian;” carpenter with his dad in the summers; Roger’s Ice Cream during high school; and Tri-State Inc. as a receiving clerk. He joined the DeMolay fraternal organization sponsored by his uncle, Curtis Talbott.

He attended Moscow schools and graduated Moscow High School in 1963. He went on to the University of Idaho for three years and then joined the U.S. Air Force. On March 27, 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Field. After he completed Air Force basic training, they moved to Warrensburg, Mo., where he worked in base supply at Whiteman Air Force Base. He was assigned to computer training in Denver. His next wartime assignment was as a computer operator at Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. His last tour of duty was at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He was discharged in August 1971 and returned to Moscow, where he completed his marketing degree at the University of Idaho.

Richard accepted a buyer position with the Boeing Co., Marine Systems Division, for the Jetfoil program. After 5½ years with Boeing, he decided on a career change. He graduated from Green River Community College with an associate degree in forestry. He worked for the Idaho Department of Lands, for 17 years, starting at St. Maries and finishing his career at Craigmont. He retired on April 1, 2004.

He loved every minute of working in the woods. He began working for Western Forest Systems for three years in their tree planting projects.

Richard grew up with almost all his cousins having cameras. He was very good at taking pictures, and he taught Kathy to love the hobby. He learned to ski while living in Seattle. They took a number of skiing trips in the Northwest. Besides skiing, he loved golfing. They had many golfing trips to California, Arizona and in the Northwest, where they hiked on the trails in the Cascades, into Eagle Cap, Ore., and trails in Idaho. In 2008, Rich suggested they take a trip of a lifetime to Australia. They toured the country for two months in a little recreational vehicle and had an amazing time.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathy; brother Ivan; sister Sharon Hatch; niece Laura Talbott; nephews Milo Hatch and Karney Hatch; and numerous cousins. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. April 6 at the United Church in Moscow.