Richard 'Rik' Alan Matt

BIG ARM — Richard "Rik" Alan Matt, 45, of Big Arm, died on Dec. 20, 2007, in Polson.

Rik was born on Sept. 7, 1962, in Butte to Sophie and Joseph Matt. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1980 and attended Flathead Community College and Central Arizona College from 1980-1982, where he majored in business administration.

He was the first Flathead Indian to become a golf pro. He was a golf pro in Oregon, Arizona, Florida and Montana. He was committed to teaching young people how to play golf. He had a "hole in one" in August 1983 at the Polson Country Club and was co-holder of many course records at golf courses across the country. He also had a hole-in-one in Pablo at the Silver Fox Golf Course.

He enjoyed golfing, tutoring golf and making necklaces.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and brothers, Dean and Randall.

He is survived by his mother, Sophie of Big Arm; a sister, Barbara Clark of Kalispell, and a nephew, Robert Joseph Clark of Kalispell.

Funeral services were Dec. 24 in the Elmo Hall. Burial was in the Dayton Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com