Richard Lee Krogh passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at his Mission Creek area home. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:00pm at the family home. Interment will be as a later time in the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent Washington.

Please join us in celebrating a wonderful man's life. Dick touched our lives in many unique ways and our lives will never be the same.

Dick was born in Ballard, Washington, and shortly afterwards went to Juneau, Alaska. In his early years he was sent to the grocery store with his neighbor's dog, who had the grocery list in its mouth. They both came home carrying groceries in their mouths. Dick was his own person, he was expelled from kindergarten for refusing to take a nap. Dick had one heck of a sense of humor. Some got it, most didn't.

Dick's sense of humor led him down a merry path which continued with his enlistment in the Navy. Dick served during the Korean War and was honored at the 50 year anniversary of the Korean Armistice.

After serving his time in the Navy, Dick searched for the right career. Spending time as a cook, bus driver for Seattle Transit, and halibut fisher, he ultimately went to work for the railroad. Dick started working for the Milwaukie Railroad which merged with Union Pacific. After 42 years Dick retired and began building his dream house in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Dick devoted his life to the railroad (until he had an epiphany "when I learned what I was doing, it was time to retire") to support the love of his life for 50 years, his wife Sharon Belden and his five children Tammy, Cindy, Sherry, Kristy and Glen. He taught us how to succeed in life through honest, hard work. He lived by the rule, "Never, ever give up." Rules were made to be broken unless they were Dick's rules. Dick was a hard man to get to know but once you were his friend, it was non negotiable. You knew Dick considered you a friend when he harrassed the heck out of you. Boyfriends' knees knocked in fear. One wedding he wore his teeth and cowboy boots with his tux, the second he carried a shot gun and a third he hopped down the aisle.

Dick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He has many grandchildren and dutifully spoiled them. Ty, Christopher, Katheryne, Heather, Sean, Krystal, Tamara, Zach, Aaron and Brett. He spoiled his great grandchildren even worse, Hailey-Rae, Tryston, Gavin, Alexis (Sam), Kadin, LaMarc and Cheyenne.

Dick was actively involved in many activities. Elk of the Year. His trophy room sports National Awards from the Goldwing Association. He was a bus driver for the North Queen's Drill Team, MTYAA Football Commissioner to name a few. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Dick will be greately missed by family and friends. His spirit lives on with the memory of him riding a tractor wearing the ugliest red felt hat you have ever seen. Dick was the happiest when riding that tractor surveying the legacy he leaves behind.

Family and friends are invited to sign Dick’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.