Saturday May. 26, 2012
Comments on:
Ferndale Fatal
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By Jim Ramsey on 05-25-09
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I had the honor of meeting Richard W. Fliehler last summer when visiting my brother E. P. Rudolph. All I can say is….what a loss for the Bigfork community….I’m sure he will be missed by all…truly a great man….who wouldn’t hesitate lending a hand to anyone.

Jim Ramsey
By Jon Volek on 05-26-09
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My condolences go out to all friends, family and the Bigfork community for the loss of these two great souls…..I feel blessed to have known them.  Mitch and H.D. R.I.P my brothers you will not be forgotten.

Jon Volek
By Sandy (Astor) Rutz from Oregon on 05-26-09
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Rest in Peace cousin-Hog Dick, you were one of a kind! What
a great guy,who loved his family and friends.
By Dennis Pettigrew on 05-26-09
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My condolences go out to all the friends and family who are feeling this great loss. R.I.P Mitch and Hog Dick.

Dennis Pettigrew
By Katie(Astor) Cosrove from Iowa on 05-26-09
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Thanks you, to the friends of Dick, from his cousin in Iowa. Now you know why we loved him and enjoyed the times we were together. You were, HogDick, a unique and memorable family member. I will miss you being my email buddy. Katie
By Jenny(Astor)Thill South Dakota on 05-26-09
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HogDick will be truly missed by our family. Our heart goes out to all my cousins. Keep the memories coming. Thanks Jenny
By Tim and Susi on 05-26-09
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We only met Dick a few times. Sorry about your loss.
We have had Mountain Man Mitch in our lives for a long time. He was one of the original Cucumonga Cowboys of Terlingua. There is a whole book on Mitch’s escapades; and all of them are real.
We honor Mitch in our hearts and for ever in our souls. We will miss his Margarita-ville parties; for he was always the first one to holler for a Margarita.
  If any of his friends from Montana way; will be coming to Tx, for the memorial; Please look us up and swap laughs and tears about our Mountain Man.
  Mitch you will not be forgotten by us.
  Tim and Susi; Terlingua TX
By karen pinkston on 05-27-09
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My husband and I had known Mitch for a brief period of time. What a guy! We had happy hour at his house just before he left to go back to Montana. He told us he was going back to Montana for the last time and was going to make Terlingua his home.  He was always smiling and having a good time.  Such a loss.  He will be truly missed in this community.

Our condolences go out to both families.

Karen & Tom Pinkston
By Toni Hirsch on 05-27-09
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I met Dick in 1983, and loved him from the day I met him. He had a heart of gold which he did not always want people to know, but he couldn’t hide it from his friends. All you had to do was ask for his help, and he’d be there. He loved to laugh, he loved Montana. What a loss to all of us who knew him! My heart goes out to his family in Iowa and friends all over this country!
We’ll never forget….....
Toni Hirsch
By JoJo and Carol Villarreal on 05-27-09
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Mitch was one of a kind.  He was our closest neighbor both by distance and heart.  We both miss his kind heart, neighborly spritit, sense of fun and more.  His Terlingua neighbors will miss him more than words can express.
Carol & JoJo Villarreal
Terlingua, TX
By Jeff "Yogi" Yost on 05-28-09
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I knew Mitch for a brief time way back in high school. In reading these comments it is a pleasure, and not surprising, he remained a great, personable and fun person to be around as he experienced his life.  My sorrow goes out to his family and many friends he made through the years.

Yogi - Class of 75
By Carol Villarreal on 05-28-09
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There are a lot of people in Terlingua waiting to find out more news so that they know what arrangements have been made for Mitch.  Many want to know what they can do here in Far West Texas.  Some want to send flowers, or do what his family and friends want in Montana or shold we wait until someone comes to Terlingua?  There are many, many people that want to do something - make a memorial donation to family’s choice, help anyone from his family when they have to come to Terlingua or anything else that our community can do.  What needs to be done to honor the man that so many of us loved?
By Susie Astor Brinkley on 05-29-09
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Rest in Peace Dick, you were my “James Dean”, we had great times together and the whole Astor family loved you very much !!!!! Your boots will be hard to fill.  All my love Cousin Susie
By Jim Hamill on 05-29-09
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I was allowed the very great pleasure of knowing Mitch, all be it, for the much too brief period of a year.
I had the very great honor of attending his baptism and I wish to thank him for that privilege. I was with him during the transformation from stress to a place of inner peace.
It was a pleasure to sit with him quietly on his porch and give thanks for one more day.
He was blessed with many wonderful and caring friends, this was evident where ever he roamed. The smiles and stories flowed like a river.
I am a much richer person for knowing him.
Thanks Buddy.
See ya when.
By Anon on 05-30-09
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You can find the Obit’s linked on this page.  http://www.dailyinterlake.com/community/obituaries/ 

Mitch’s is on the 27, Dick’s on the 28. 

Here is the info from Mitchs.  A benevolent fund has been set up in Mitchell’s name at Flathead Bank, 800 Grand Ave., Bigfork, MT 59911.

I hope that help you.
By Tim & Susi on 09-08-09
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Well here it is the 8th of Sept. and the last log for Mitch was on the 29th of May. Has everyone forgotten our ” Mountain Man” Mitch?
He was planning to be back in Terlingua by now. The Chili Cook-Off that he loved so much is only 6 weeks away. We are all thinking of him now. What a bland party it will be without our Mitch there.
  Did anyone go to his memorial at Glacier?
  We went to his house here today. Sat, talked, cried, laughed.
  Mitch we still think of you at Gate Seven. This branch of friends do not forget the lost Cucamonga Cowboy, one of the originals.
  This month we will take your medicine bag to the official dedication of the Olahaga dedication of the reservation. I have been told you will be purified at this ceremony. I have collected all of your stuff, and you will pass on.
  We miss you greatly Mitch. Keep in contact.
  LUV U Susi
By Tim & Susi on 12-12-09
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Well, here it is, almost Christmas, and the new year.
Has anyone thought about Mitch or Dick?  I do!  I go by Mitch’s house several times a week. Make sure everything is as he left it. I converse with his one and only son quit often. Who hopefully will be with us soon after the first of the year.
  Lonely holidays for a loved one who is not here anymore.
  Why does not anyone post anymore? There were so many posts soon after the “big Boo-Boo”. But nothing since then. Has everyone forgotten these two most remarkable men?
  Oh well; do not let it bug you. I will take up your slack and remember them enough for all of us.
  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; Mitch and Dick!!! Hear is a toast to you guys; and many more to come!!!
Miss you and mucho love your way. Susi
By Teresa on 04-16-10
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Well, here it is almost a year. I fell upon this article COMPLETELY by chance. I was looking at cash in the attic for God’s sake!! There are no coincidences. I didn’t know Dick as well as Mitch, but I think of them both all of the time. At their passing, I imagined all their family & friends, especially in Texas, and what a huge hole is must be leaving in all your hearts and lifes. Hog Dick & Mitch came into The Raven, where I work, for lunch the day they were taken. It was a JOY to see each of them, Mitch, back in Montana for the summer. Their BIG smiles are something I will always keep with me, forever. They are not forgotten. Peace & Love from Montana
By Tim & Susi on 04-16-10
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Hello Montana people; It is just one month till the D-Day of Mitch and Dick. The 23rd of May.
We are planning for the Chili-cook off. Mitch really loved that one!! We have planned a small private get-together of some of his closeset friends. Will you do the same?
  REMEMBER- May 23rd in your prayers and dreams. These two MEN deserve that much in the least.
  We still love you and talk about you all the time. You are not forgotten by us Mitch!
  We check out your house. It is still safe and sound for when your son returns. No one dares bother anything.
  Montana people—REMEMBER!
  We love you Mitch.
By Mary on 07-08-11
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I knew Mitch back in 1977.  We started dating just before our high school graduations.  For some reason, I Googled his name late in June 2011 and found the tragic news and haven’t been able to stop thinking of him since.  I’m so curious to know the rest of his life….what took him to Montana
(I’ve been in Idaho since 1980 myself), how did he live, was he a good man to all.  I have only one photo of his sweet face and would like to see and know more. m_culligan@hotmail.com. Sincerest regards and condolences to all that knew him.  Mary