Richard Lee Swindell known to most as Dick was born on October 20, 1931, in Oxford Nebraska to Oliver "Ted" Swindell and Genieva "Isla" Ireland Swindell. He was the second of three boys born to Ted and Isla. Dick attended grade school in Mascot Nebraska. In 1943 Ted and Isla packed up their 3 sons, Dean, Dick, and Cliff, moved west to Idaho, first settling in the Donnelly area for a time then on to Emmett and then Boise. Dick graduated from Boise High School in 1950. He was attending ISU when he met the love of his life Lula "Lou" Schlehuber. In 1952 Dick and Lou were married at the home of Laurence and Pearl Schlehuber, mother and father of the bride. Dick worked at the McCammon News until he was drafted into the Army in 1952 attending basic training in Fort Ord California then was stationed in Germany for his tour. While serving in Germany he visited Switzerland and loved it there. While in the Army Dick received the Army Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the Army Dick returned to Pocatello where his bride was waiting. They bought a home and he began working for Nabisco.
Dick and Lou started their family in 1953 with the arrival of their first son Richard Lee Swindell II born on April 1st, 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho then Debra Marie Swindell Bruno born on January 13, 1955, also in Pocatello. After a few years, they moved to Blackfoot then on to Shelley, Idaho. In 1959 the family moved to Challis where they purchased the Challis Messenger. After moving to Challis they continued growing their family. Alicia Kay Swindell Thornock was born on October 29, 1962, in Challis; Denise Rae Swindell Dowton was born on October 9, 1964, in Salmon, and Dennis Alan Swindell was born on November 4, 1965, in Salmon.
Together Dick and Lou ran the Challis Messenger as the only 2 employees. Dick received the Governor's Award for his writing. Many long nights as they worked diligently to write, typeset, print, cut, fold and mail the paper to their patrons. In 1969 they sold the Challis Messenger and purchased the Challis Laundromat in which they ran for 10 years.
For the next 20 years Dick worked at many different jobs. He traveled to New Mexico to work in the oil fields, he said that he liked the experience but did not like being so far from home. He then returned home to work at the HooDoo mine in Clayton. He also worked as a butcher and then at the Custer County Road and Bride Department where he retired.
In 1996 Dick and Lou became snowbirds traveling to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months. While in Yuma they met new friends which became a second family to them.
Dick was active in the Challis Fire Department for many years. He retired in 1995 with badge #1 due to his long-standing service with the Challis Fire Department which he was very proud of it. He also belonged to the American Legon Post # 109. Dick loved life and being active. Whenever he could he packed up the family to go camping, waterskiing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed golf and hunting. More than anything Dick loved watching his grandkids and great-grandkids participate in activities. Whether it be basketball, volleyball, football, wrestling, or rodeo he was always in the stands cheering. Most often at a rodeo, Dick was the first in the stands and last to leave. Dick also loved to dance, he and Lou belonged to square dance clubs in both Challis and Salmon. If music was playing he was swaying.
Richard Lee Swindell passed peacefully with family by his side on January 22, 2022. Now he is reunited with his wife and will celebrate their anniversary together in heaven on January 28.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lula May Schlehuber Swindell, his mother Isla Ireland Swindell, his father Oliver "Ted" Swindell, baby son, brothers Dean Swindell and Cliff Swindell, and granddaughter Ciara Rae Dowton.
He is survived by children Rick (Gay) Swindell, Debra (Bruce) Bruno, Alicia (Dennis) Thornock, Denise (Jimmie) Dowton, Dennis (Susan) Swindell, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way.
Dick and Lou started their family in 1953 with the arrival of their first son Richard Lee Swindell II born on April 1st, 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho then Debra Marie Swindell Bruno born on January 13, 1955, also in Pocatello. After a few years, they moved to Blackfoot then on to Shelley, Idaho. In 1959 the family moved to Challis where they purchased the Challis Messenger. After moving to Challis they continued growing their family. Alicia Kay Swindell Thornock was born on October 29, 1962, in Challis; Denise Rae Swindell Dowton was born on October 9, 1964, in Salmon, and Dennis Alan Swindell was born on November 4, 1965, in Salmon.
Together Dick and Lou ran the Challis Messenger as the only 2 employees. Dick received the Governor's Award for his writing. Many long nights as they worked diligently to write, typeset, print, cut, fold and mail the paper to their patrons. In 1969 they sold the Challis Messenger and purchased the Challis Laundromat in which they ran for 10 years.
For the next 20 years Dick worked at many different jobs. He traveled to New Mexico to work in the oil fields, he said that he liked the experience but did not like being so far from home. He then returned home to work at the HooDoo mine in Clayton. He also worked as a butcher and then at the Custer County Road and Bride Department where he retired.
In 1996 Dick and Lou became snowbirds traveling to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months. While in Yuma they met new friends which became a second family to them.
Dick was active in the Challis Fire Department for many years. He retired in 1995 with badge #1 due to his long-standing service with the Challis Fire Department which he was very proud of it. He also belonged to the American Legon Post # 109. Dick loved life and being active. Whenever he could he packed up the family to go camping, waterskiing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed golf and hunting. More than anything Dick loved watching his grandkids and great-grandkids participate in activities. Whether it be basketball, volleyball, football, wrestling, or rodeo he was always in the stands cheering. Most often at a rodeo, Dick was the first in the stands and last to leave. Dick also loved to dance, he and Lou belonged to square dance clubs in both Challis and Salmon. If music was playing he was swaying.
Richard Lee Swindell passed peacefully with family by his side on January 22, 2022. Now he is reunited with his wife and will celebrate their anniversary together in heaven on January 28.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lula May Schlehuber Swindell, his mother Isla Ireland Swindell, his father Oliver "Ted" Swindell, baby son, brothers Dean Swindell and Cliff Swindell, and granddaughter Ciara Rae Dowton.
He is survived by children Rick (Gay) Swindell, Debra (Bruce) Bruno, Alicia (Dennis) Thornock, Denise (Jimmie) Dowton, Dennis (Susan) Swindell, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way.
Richard Lee Swindell known to most as Dick was born on October 20, 1931, in Oxford Nebraska to Oliver "Ted" Swindell and Genieva "Isla" Ireland Swindell. He was the second of three boys born to Ted and Isla. Dick attended grade school in Mascot Nebraska. In 1943 Ted and Isla packed up their 3 sons, Dean, Dick, and Cliff, moved west to Idaho, first settling in the Donnelly area for a time then on to Emmett and then Boise. Dick graduated from Boise High School in 1950. He was attending ISU when he met the love of his life Lula "Lou" Schlehuber. In 1952 Dick and Lou were married at the home of Laurence and Pearl Schlehuber, mother and father of the bride. Dick worked at the McCammon News until he was drafted into the Army in 1952 attending basic training in Fort Ord California then was stationed in Germany for his tour. While serving in Germany he visited Switzerland and loved it there. While in the Army Dick received the Army Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the Army Dick returned to Pocatello where his bride was waiting. They bought a home and he began working for Nabisco.
Dick and Lou started their family in 1953 with the arrival of their first son Richard Lee Swindell II born on April 1st, 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho then Debra Marie Swindell Bruno born on January 13, 1955, also in Pocatello. After a few years, they moved to Blackfoot then on to Shelley, Idaho. In 1959 the family moved to Challis where they purchased the Challis Messenger. After moving to Challis they continued growing their family. Alicia Kay Swindell Thornock was born on October 29, 1962, in Challis; Denise Rae Swindell Dowton was born on October 9, 1964, in Salmon, and Dennis Alan Swindell was born on November 4, 1965, in Salmon.
Together Dick and Lou ran the Challis Messenger as the only 2 employees. Dick received the Governor's Award for his writing. Many long nights as they worked diligently to write, typeset, print, cut, fold and mail the paper to their patrons. In 1969 they sold the Challis Messenger and purchased the Challis Laundromat in which they ran for 10 years.
For the next 20 years Dick worked at many different jobs. He traveled to New Mexico to work in the oil fields, he said that he liked the experience but did not like being so far from home. He then returned home to work at the HooDoo mine in Clayton. He also worked as a butcher and then at the Custer County Road and Bride Department where he retired.
In 1996 Dick and Lou became snowbirds traveling to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months. While in Yuma they met new friends which became a second family to them.
Dick was active in the Challis Fire Department for many years. He retired in 1995 with badge #1 due to his long-standing service with the Challis Fire Department which he was very proud of it. He also belonged to the American Legon Post # 109. Dick loved life and being active. Whenever he could he packed up the family to go camping, waterskiing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed golf and hunting. More than anything Dick loved watching his grandkids and great-grandkids participate in activities. Whether it be basketball, volleyball, football, wrestling, or rodeo he was always in the stands cheering. Most often at a rodeo, Dick was the first in the stands and last to leave. Dick also loved to dance, he and Lou belonged to square dance clubs in both Challis and Salmon. If music was playing he was swaying.
Richard Lee Swindell passed peacefully with family by his side on January 22, 2022. Now he is reunited with his wife and will celebrate their anniversary together in heaven on January 28.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lula May Schlehuber Swindell, his mother Isla Ireland Swindell, his father Oliver "Ted" Swindell, baby son, brothers Dean Swindell and Cliff Swindell, and granddaughter Ciara Rae Dowton.
He is survived by children Rick (Gay) Swindell, Debra (Bruce) Bruno, Alicia (Dennis) Thornock, Denise (Jimmie) Dowton, Dennis (Susan) Swindell, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way.
Dick and Lou started their family in 1953 with the arrival of their first son Richard Lee Swindell II born on April 1st, 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho then Debra Marie Swindell Bruno born on January 13, 1955, also in Pocatello. After a few years, they moved to Blackfoot then on to Shelley, Idaho. In 1959 the family moved to Challis where they purchased the Challis Messenger. After moving to Challis they continued growing their family. Alicia Kay Swindell Thornock was born on October 29, 1962, in Challis; Denise Rae Swindell Dowton was born on October 9, 1964, in Salmon, and Dennis Alan Swindell was born on November 4, 1965, in Salmon.
Together Dick and Lou ran the Challis Messenger as the only 2 employees. Dick received the Governor's Award for his writing. Many long nights as they worked diligently to write, typeset, print, cut, fold and mail the paper to their patrons. In 1969 they sold the Challis Messenger and purchased the Challis Laundromat in which they ran for 10 years.
For the next 20 years Dick worked at many different jobs. He traveled to New Mexico to work in the oil fields, he said that he liked the experience but did not like being so far from home. He then returned home to work at the HooDoo mine in Clayton. He also worked as a butcher and then at the Custer County Road and Bride Department where he retired.
In 1996 Dick and Lou became snowbirds traveling to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months. While in Yuma they met new friends which became a second family to them.
Dick was active in the Challis Fire Department for many years. He retired in 1995 with badge #1 due to his long-standing service with the Challis Fire Department which he was very proud of it. He also belonged to the American Legon Post # 109. Dick loved life and being active. Whenever he could he packed up the family to go camping, waterskiing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed golf and hunting. More than anything Dick loved watching his grandkids and great-grandkids participate in activities. Whether it be basketball, volleyball, football, wrestling, or rodeo he was always in the stands cheering. Most often at a rodeo, Dick was the first in the stands and last to leave. Dick also loved to dance, he and Lou belonged to square dance clubs in both Challis and Salmon. If music was playing he was swaying.
Richard Lee Swindell passed peacefully with family by his side on January 22, 2022. Now he is reunited with his wife and will celebrate their anniversary together in heaven on January 28.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lula May Schlehuber Swindell, his mother Isla Ireland Swindell, his father Oliver "Ted" Swindell, baby son, brothers Dean Swindell and Cliff Swindell, and granddaughter Ciara Rae Dowton.
He is survived by children Rick (Gay) Swindell, Debra (Bruce) Bruno, Alicia (Dennis) Thornock, Denise (Jimmie) Dowton, Dennis (Susan) Swindell, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way.
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