Richard Rick J. Frey

Former Havre resident, Richard “Rick” John Frey, 59, of Havre, died of respiratory failure, Monday, August 29, at the Adventist Medical Center Emergency Room in Portland, Oregon.

Rick was born August 20th, 1952 to Clarence John Frey and Marguerite Strand Frey at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana. He is survived by two older sisters, Leslie (Bud) Baldwin of Bigfork and Susan (Ron) Modrall of Napa, California. He is also survived by one older brother, James Frey of Havre, two younger brothers, William of Great Falls and Ronald (Tammy) Frey of Lakeside. He is also survived by nine nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his Father, Clarence and Mother, Marguerite Frey of Havre, Montana.

Ross Hollywood Chapel and Crematory of Portland, Oregon are in charge of arrangements.

Rick attended St. Judes Grade School and Havre High School. As a youth, Rick was active in Havre Youth Baseball and was known for his pitching, especially his fastball and ability to throw it without having complete control of where it was going. Hitters were especially aware of this. He played basketball at the O’Leary garage and the games were competitive as well as combative. Touch football in the street was also a favorite of Rick’s with most games ending when a fight started. Rick was also a member of the Havre Lions Swim Team, along with his brother Jim and sister Susan. There were also four cousins on the team, Steve and Tom Adams, Sandy and Scott McLean. As a teenager, Rick became an avid motorcycle rider along with friends Tim Goggins, Marty Lee, Lyle Nalivka, Curt Schroeder and Larry Daulton. He became an accomplished pool player as well as a poker player. Rick moved to Denver, Colorado in 1970. There he met the love of his life, Beth. They were together for approximately twenty years. They later moved to Portland, Oregon where Rick established himself as a maintenance worker for the Oregon Public School System. He also had a dog, Shepherd that he trained to catch and retrieve Frisbees. Rick loved camping, hanging out with friends, traveling and meeting new people. His life was a truly a celebration of living. In recent years, ill health forced him to slow down and death was never far from his door.

Cremation has taken place and a private scattering of ashes is planned for the future. No public service is planned at the present time.