Richard Allen Menke

“Do not go gentle into that good night” …

Richard Menke kept this Dylan Thomas poem close at hand over the past couple of years, reciting it often with friends. He did rage against the dying of the light until September 27 when, accompanied by close friends and the compassionate staff at Polson Health and Rehabilitation, he began his journey home. Richard Allen was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 20, 1934, to Harry and Helen Vokurka Menke.

As a youth, Richard loved water and water sports. The family spent summers at Mini Wa Wa, a fishing camp in Minnesota. He joined the Boy Scouts as a youngster, and advanced to Sea Scouts. This began a lifelong love of sailing. When he wasn’t working at his uncle’s electric motor shop, winding copper wire, he crewed with his fellow seamen on the broad Mississippi River.

During his teenage years, he worked at a jewelry store, learning about the polished cuts on diamonds and other gems. Richard developed a love of fine jewelry.

He also loved music, especially jazz. He became a drummer, meeting jazz musicians and attending numerous jazz festivals.

He joined the Army and was stationed in the Seattle area at a base he coined “missiles in the mud.” He then studied at Washington University, a position in finance awaiting him when he graduated from his master’s degree program. He married Sally Arms and settled down in Missouri with his beloved Stone Horse sloop named “Dobbin.”

After retiring from a career in banking, Richard moved out west. He and his second partner, Suzanne Luepke, shared adventures in skiing, kayaking, rafting, and hiking. They especially loved the Canyonlands. (On the infamous date of September 11, 2001, Richard and Suzanne were hiking out of the Grand Canyon, unaware of the traumatic events of that day.)

Richard’s yearning to weigh anchor once more compelled him to begin searching for a large body of water, which was what brought him to Flathead Lake. He and Suzanne spent several summers sailing their 26-foot Colgate on the lake, often staying out overnight.

When Richard took an interest in something, he really sank his teeth into it. Shortly after moving to Polson, Robbie Robinson invited him to join the local bagpipe band as a drummer. He readily attended side drum training in Canada, then lead the Great Scotts Drum Corps for several years.

His passion for golf melded with his love of reading. Richard leaves an entire bookcase dedicated to writings on the subject of golf.

He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Richard is survived by his older brother and family, Harry and Norma Menke, and their children Elizabeth Tanis and Amy Sowell. They all reside in Texas.

He often referred to endearing adventures with Sally, then commonly closed with “I don’t know why the hell she divorced me.” Sally was the one he called to in his final hours. So Sally, if you’re out there, Richard loves you.

Suzanne preceded him in death. She is the one most of us remember here in the Mission Valley. Their shared enthusiasm and abiding love for each other cultivated a rich community of close friendships. We are fortunate that they chose our valley as their home.

A special thank you to the volunteers who deliver Meals On Wheels, for their kindness and for monitoring his wellbeing.

A service for Richard will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Mission Mountain Golf Course, Ronan.