Richard L. "Dick" Hertz died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, at his home in Polson.

He was born in Bridger on July 10, 1933, at the home of his parents, Adam and Helen Hertz. Dick grew up in Billings.

He loved motorcycles and owned the first 650 BSA in Billings. He took many trips on his motorcycles up the Beartooth Highway to Cooke City.

At 16 years of age, he hitchhiked to Seattle with a high school friend and they caught a boat to Alaska, where Dick worked for the summer in the fish canneries. He graduated from Billings Central High School in 1951.

After school, he joined the Navy Reserve and made a trip to Hawaii.

While working on a seismic crew in Malta, he met Virginia Mae White. They were married March 15, 1953. While living in Malta, Dick worked for Carter Oil and eventually owned his own bulk plant. Virginia gave birth to four sons while living in Malta. In 1959, they moved to Polson where their fifth son was born.

Dick worked in the logging and trucking industry and for Plum Creek Timber Co. where he retired in 1988 after approximately 25 years of service.

Dick loved to hunt and fish with his family, enjoyed many camping trips with Virginia and their five sons. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and golfing. Both Dick and Virginia could also be seen at all of their sons' sporting and school events. In later years, he also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in school events.

In 1989, Dick and Virginia moved to a warmer winter climate, Wolford Heights, Calif., where they met many new friends. They returned to Montana in 1994 and continued to spend winters in warmer climates visiting friends and children.

In 1997, Dick began his struggle with colon cancer. Much to the amazement of his doctors and family, Dick went through many surgeries and fought hard to beat the cancer. However, his battle was stopped short by apparent heart failure.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Josephine and Pete White. We're confident Dick and Pete are enjoying a hunting trip together in heaven.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife and lifelong companion, Virginia; three younger sisters, Margie (Richard) Kelly of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Judy (Milt) Fretheim of Columbia Falls and Connie (Rick) Smith of Cave Creek, Ariz.; his five sons and four daughters-in-law, Mike and Peggy of Missoula, Steve of Polson, Rick and Gayle of Great Falls, Greg and Kate of Polson and Shawn and Sondra of Ridge Crest, Calif. Dick also has 15 grandchildren, Ryan, Stefani, Sarah, Adrian, Mistee, Dylan, Robin, Danielle, Kristin, Matthew, Adam, Jacob, Hilary, Whitney and Bryson; and four great-grandchildren, Adrian, Destiana, Braden and Nicholas.

Mass of the Resurrection was held Monday at the Immaculate Conception Church with Father Gary Reller officiating. Cremation followed the services and inurnment will be held at a later date.

The family thanks all of the doctors and caretakers who assisted Dick with his struggle with cancer.

Remembrances may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 3350 Mullan Road, Suite 105, Missoula, MT 59808.

Arrangements were under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson