Richard P. Luedtke, 85

In the early morning of Dec. 11, 2008, Richard P. Luedtke passed away in his sleep at his home Welcome Ranch in Eastport, Idaho. 

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A remembrance gathering will follow the services at the Good Grief Café in Good Grief, Idaho.

"Doc" was born March 27, 1923, in North Chicago, Ill., to Philip and Helen Fortin. His parents were divorced when he was 5 years old and he and his mother moved to Antioch, Ill.,  where he graduated from high school.

Richard entered college at Iowa State University and joined and Army Veterinary Corp from 1942 to 1944 while in college. He continued to work and a field inspector for the Army which completing his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1945.

During this time his mother married Otto Luedtke, who adopted Richard at the age of 21.

He practiced veterinary medicine in various clinics in Illinois until deciding to start his own clinic in Oregon, Ill., which became a very successful practice. During this time he had made several trips "out West" and decided to sell his practice and take a job with the U.S. government as its veterinarian for the five northern counties of Idaho. The entire family moved to Coeur d'Alene but Richard spent most of his time at the Canadian border so he purchased Welcome Ranch in Eastport from the Davis family.

Doc quickly went up in rank with the U.S. government, living in various places around the country, though returning to Welcome Ranch each summer and during most vacations. He finally retired as senior executive service while in Washington, D.C. and moved permanently to the Welcome Ranch in 1988. Mary Ann continued to work at Bonners Ferry High School until her retirement.

Richard was a blackbelt in judo and a great lover of wildlife and animals. He and his wife were both very active in community planning and zoning and the Republican party.

Mary Ann passed away in 2004. Richard is survived by his son, Jason Luedtke; daughters, Leslie Zondervan-Droz and Leah Norton; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Idaho Conservation League, P.O. Box 844, Boise, Idaho 83701-0844, attention Huki Molina.

Family and friends are invited to sign Richard's book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.