Richard ‘Dick’ Strong

On Aug. 4, 2015, we lost our wonderful, fun-loving and quick-witted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Richard “Dick” Strong. After a good breakfast at Perkins with Esther, returning home to help in the garage, Dick came into the house, where his heart gave out. Richard "Dick" Ardell Strong was born on July 2, 1934, to Don and Stella (Harness) Strong in North Dakota. They left when he was 2, when his dad began working for Roscoe Steel, building bridges and taking the family to California, Oregon, Wyoming, as well as Yellowstone Park and Terry. While living in California during WWII, at the age of 11 or 12, Dick worked shining shoes, earning big tips. When his dad decided he was tired of traveling and, with his brother Joe having an excavation business in Billings, he saw how the town was growing and moved the family to Billings, where they started Strong's Crane Service, in 1947. Dick was 13 when the family moved to Billings, and later graduated from Senior High School, where his dad had set all the steel during construction. After graduation, his folks gave him a choice of college or a down payment (which he repaid) on a Bantam Backhoe. He loved digging basements and putting in sewers, thus, as he went to get some sewer permits, he saw a "cute girl in a yellow dress" working in the Engineers' office. Soon began the romance that led to marriage to Esther Strang on Oct. 20, 1956. They had a lot of fun with the Strang/Strong name and some confusion. Shortly after, in April of 1957, Dick was drafted into the Army. Esther joined him later in Fort Belvoir, Va., for three months before he was transferred to Germany for 18 months, where he served in the Engineering Division. His dad wrote him that the crane business was growing and would he like to sell his backhoe and equipment and go partners on another crane. Dick agreed, and became a partner in Strong's Crane Service. After returning home, the family grew with the birth of a son, Doug, and two years later a daughter, Debbie. Dick had worked during high school for Otto Miller, a house builder, where he learned to be a carpenter. With that experience, he and his best friend since fifth grade, Al Miller, built our first home on Avenue E by Rose Park. After 20 years of wonderful friends and memories, we built a house on Morledge, where many more family gatherings took place. Deciding to downsize 13 years ago, we moved into a patio home. During his life, he got to see a lot of country while buying cranes for the business, attending watch fob conventions in Cleveland for 30-plus years, and traveling to play in cribbage tournaments, winning several. His passion of cribbage was handed down to his daughter and grandchildren. Another love was his Studebakers. Dick was one of the founding members of the Studebaker Drivers Club, driving in many parades and hosting picnics at our Red Lodge cabin. We were so lucky to have Debbie and Rich live in Germany for five years, where we visited four times. Once, for the birth of our first grandchild! We toured many countries and found both of our families in Norway. Dick retired in 1995. He enjoyed retirement, arranging and rearranging his watch fobs, collections of cranes, backhoes, and construction toys, and playing cribbage. He also cooked breakfast for the men at the shop who didn't have breakfast before work, and anyone else that stopped in, including their mail lady, Sherry. He would also make the best grilled cheese sandwiches for his grandchildren. His shingle (sign) read "Dick's Café." He was a member of Central Christian Church, where he served as a deacon. He is survived by his wife, Esther, of 58 years; son Doug, granddaughter Lexi (Billings), grandson Cameron (Topeka); daughter Debbie (Rich) Whitney, grandsons Ryan (Boise), Wylson (Billings), Dylan (Germany) and granddaughter Maysee (Billings); sisters-in-law Betty Stratton (Billings), Linda (John) Craig (Helena) and Judy Strang (Bozeman); as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Stella; in-laws Newell and Annabelle Strang; his sister, Donna Strand; his brother-in-law, Donald Strang; and his great-nephew, W.D. Harrison. We would like to thank Dr. Sorenson for the many years of good care, who became more like family than a doctor. Nadine Hart also played many roles in his life. Depending on his mood, she went from adopted daughter to doctor to nurse. We would also like to thank the many other family and friends that were special in his life. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Central Christian Church or the charity of your choice. A celebration of life and reception will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Central Christian Church, 1221 16th St. West. Remembrances may be shared with the family by visiting www.michelottisawyers.com. At Dick's request, no black, everyone please wear bright clothing, as this is a celebration of a life well lived!!