Richard "Dick" James Walsh

Richard "Dick"  James Walsh passed away peacefully at his home on Flathead Lake, July 28, 2026, at the age of 70.

Dick was a constant source of love, patience, and optimism, bringing happiness to everyone around him.

Born in Billings, MT, in 1955, he was the 9th of 12 children born to Pat and Marie (Hunthausen) Walsh. He graduated from Helena High in 1974 and from Carroll College in 1978 with a degree in economics. He was an incredibly dedicated, hard-working & dependable person. A loan officer quickly turned office manager & then into regional leadership for many years at Beneficial. He was a mentor for so many. People who worked for him decades ago still share their appreciation for his influence in their lives.

Dick was first and foremost a devoted family man whose greatest joy was his sweetheart and wife of 45 years, Kathy, and their two children, Thomas and Megan. He cherished every moment spent with them. He loved spending time with his granddog, Muldoon, and could often be found happily throwing a ball for him.

When he wasn't working on a project around the cabin, he loved traveling with family and visiting national parks, particularly Glacier. A skilled & avid golfer, he would play 18 holes any chance he could get. He was blessed with the opportunity to play incredible courses around the country with family and friends. His love of family and golf took him south to Arizona during the winter months.

He was incredibly close with his siblings, especially his brother Tom with whom he shared a cabin on Flathead Lake. They loved golfing together and spent many happy hours at Polson Bay Golf Course. Their wives, Kathy and Sharon, endured their fair share of golf stories (and walked away from a few too)!

He was happiest when everyone could be together, organizing many Hunthausen reunions at Legendary Lodge, captaining the Pontoon at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp during Walsh reunions, and hosting the Smith family reunions at the Double W.

He met life’s challenges with grace & patience. When his mother was diagnosed with dementia, the family came together to make sure she was lovingly cared for. Dick and Kathy, along with other family members, provided her with full-time care for several years.

After her passing, he began working as a para-professional. He enjoyed supporting the students and delighted in becoming a student again himself. He’d often come home ready to share what he’d learned that day. At lunch, he would open the gym so kids could play basketball. He represented the non-certified staff in school district negotiations.

He was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in December 2019. Although his medicines sapped him of some strength & energy, he continued to live the life he loved to his last day.

All who knew him will remember his kindness, humility, & generosity. He never sought recognition for the good he did; he simply believed in helping others whenever he could. He made everyone feel valued, seeing the best in every person & every situation. His absence will be deeply felt by the many people whose lives were made brighter because of him.

A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. John Linford and the compassionate staff at Community Cancer Care + Prevention in Missoula for the exceptional care and support they provided.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; his son, Thomas Walsh; and his daughter, Megan Walsh. He is also survived by his sisters, Joan (Dave) Hardy, Edna Cahill, Michelle (Mike) Stevenson, Colleen (Pat) McCutcheon, Mary (Frank) Ciez, and Sarah (Tim Kelly) Walsh; his brothers, Ray (Sue) Walsh and Tom (Sharon) Walsh; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Marie Walsh; brothers, Patrick, John, and Edward Walsh; parents-in-law Lyle and Ardelle Smith; brothers-in-law, Pat Cahill and Pat Weber; and nephews, Patrick Kelly and Gavin King.

Memorials in his name:

Polson High School (memo “Dick Walsh”): 111 4th Ave East, Polson, MT 59860

SAFE Harbor of Lake County MT : PO Box 497, Ronan, MT 59864

Mission Valley Jr Golf Association: 111 Bayview Dr, Polson, MT 59860

Services will be held at All Saints Chapel on the Carroll College Campus, 1601 N Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625

Monday August 3rd: Viewing 6:00 pm; Vigil 7:00 pm

Tuesday August 4th: Funeral Service - 11 am; Lunch Reception afterwards - Upper Cube @ Carroll College.