Richard "Dick" C. Howard was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on July 23, 1946, to Art and June (Hutchinson) Howard of Athol, Idaho.

He spent his childhood in Athol surrounded by loving parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. On April 24, 1972, Dick met and married the light of his life, Reen, in Sandpoint, Idaho. During their 35 years together, they raised their three boys, showering them with love and affection.

Dick was a welder and mechanic for the Lakes Highway District for 30 years, and the last few years he had worked for Rock Springs Excavation, owned by his son, Clay.

Dick loved enjoying the outdoors with his boys, hunting, fishing, camping and tinkering with things and spending special time with his grandchildren. Although all three boys had very different careers and pursuits, he fully supported them in all their various endeavors.

His love of animals was evident in the numerous kinds of domestic and wild critters that he fed and cared for. His wife was what he lived for, worshipping the ground that she walked on. She was his light. Later in life, their grandchildren brought additional happiness and noise to their household.

His passing on June 26, in Hauser, Idaho was sudden and unexpected and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was the peaceful and quiet rock that everyone leaned on. His love, support, sound advice and handiness will be hard to live without for those of us left behind.

Dick is survived by his parents, Art and June Howard of Athol; his wife Reen, at the new home in Athol; sons Nathan Howard, of Chattaroy, Wash., Ellery and Julie Howard of Hayden, Idaho, Clay and Hilary Howard of Athol; his "little pal" grandsons, Keaton, Clark and Wyatt; his "baby girl," Alexys, and his "little one," Linley (his granddaughters).

Contributions may made in remembrance of Dick to the Special Olympics of North Idaho, P.O. Box 1854, Hayden, ID. 83835.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Real Life Ministries, 1866 North Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Athol.

Please sign Dick's guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com