Richard Carl Atkins

HAMILTON - Richard (Dick) Atkins, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at St.Patrick's Hospital on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from natural causes.

Dick came into the world on September, 24, 1925 in Seattle, Washington to parents Teresa Colandro and August Joseph Atkins. After his parents divorced, Dick spent most of his childhood in Tacoma, Washington with his father. Dick was a member of the Lincoln high school tumbling team which won many competitions even getting a cover on Life magazine. After graduating he joined the Navy as a Medical Corpsman during World War II.

Serving as Corpsman on numerous warships, Dick acquired the nickname of "Bush" on the U.S.S. Coontz and "Shadow" on the U.S.S. Winged Arrow. The origin remains known only to fellow shipmates. After returning from active duty, Dick worked for a short time at the local smelter in Tacoma and eventually went to work for the Northern Pacific Beneficial Hospital Assoc. in Tacoma utilizing his Navy medical training. During his time in Tacoma, Dick was a trumpet player in Auburn Drum and Bugle Corp marching band which won several state championships over the years.

Dick soon found his longtime sweetheart, Ellen Crawford working at an ice cream parlor in Tacoma, and they were married on October 26, 1946. Dick and Ella raised two children, Daniel and Diane who followed the family travels as positions changed with NPBHA. Moving from Purchasing Agent in Tacoma to Hospital Administrator of the Northern Pacific Hospital in Missoula, Montana to Assistant to the President in St. Paul, Minnesota and eventually Hospital Administrator of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, Montana in 1970, where he held the reins until his retirement in 1987.
Dick always claimed he was born to be retired.

During his medical service career, Dick was well known and respected amongst peers and professionals for his dedication, creativity and focus on cost control and patient service. He was recognized numerous times as a leader in providing affordable medical service in rural communities across Montana. His notoriety began with his efforts in working with Marcus Daly's great-granddaughter to acquire property in Hamilton to build a new hospital which focused on service, cost control and ready additions as necessary over time to serve Ravalli County residents in need.

Dick loved to golf, hunt, fish, and enjoyed his Jack Daniels and cigars. A true character and social spark plug who loved to tease everyone, also earned other nicknames, such as "Dutch Hill Dick" and more notably, "Sparky" in Lewistown, Montana where during a hunting excursion he mistakenly sat on an electric fence which earned him the label for the howls that followed. Dick spent much his working and retirement years volunteering to help the Hamilton Golf Club, Senior Citizens Center, Meals on Wheels, Elks, Montana Hospital Association and other peers seeking advice and counsel.

Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ella, son Daniel Atkins of Missoula, daughter and son-in-law Diane and Gordon Sanders also of Missoula, grandchildren- Michael, Stacey, D.J., Jeffrey, Jennifer, Jaymie, great-grandchildren- Kevin, Taylor, Reese Madeline, half-siblings Delores Tran, Gloria Cernich and Ray Rafiti and many nieces and nephews.