Charles Richard "Dick" Vandeveer

MISSOULA – Charles Richard "Dick" Vandeveer, 80, went to the arms of God on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Hillside Manor of natural causes.

Dick was the only son of Mancil and Alyce Louise (McArthur) Vandeveer, born in Kalispell on Aug. 24, 1932. Dick spent his childhood living in many different places around Washington and Montana while his father worked for the railroad. He graduated from Butte High School in 1950 and enlisted in the Air Force. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. Dick then began a 34-year career as an engineer for the Great Northern Railroad, retiring from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1987.

Dick married Doris Berlinguette in Lowell, Mass., in 1951. During his military career, they lived in many different states and ended up in Great Falls, where he was discharged. While working as a railroad engineer, they lived in many Montana towns and eventually settled in Missoula. They raised three children, son Michael and daughters Cheryl and Kelli, during their 49-year marriage. They were later divorced.

In May 2000, Dick met his "soul mate" and the love of his life, Virginia Calloway. They were married in 2005 in Las Vegas. Dick and Ginny loved to travel. They went to Florida, Texas, Canada and were in Chattanooga, Tenn., a couple of years ago to cheer on the University of Montana Grizzlies. Dick and Ginny got to swim with the dolphins, a highlight in his life, on a cruise to the Bahamas with family. Dick was a great Griz fan and they loved to go to the Griz football games.

Dick belonged to the Eagles FOE No. 32, where he loved to spend time singing and dancing with friends. He was always up for a night of karaoke to entertain friends with his beautiful voice. His friends will dearly miss his song and laughter, along with his stories.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Mancil and Alyce Vandeveer.

Survivors include his wife, Ginny of Missoula; son, Michael (Debbie) of Michigan; two daughters, Cheryl Vandeveer of Texas and Kelli Neumeyer of Missoula; stepson, Jerry (Jane) Callaway of Florida; stepdaughter, Cheryl (Paul) Vonlinden of Whitefish; grandchildren, Leah and Dana Rose Vandeveer of Michigan, Amber (Mike) Pucci of Texas, Brandon Neumeyer of Missoula, Katie (Ben) Daniel of Big Sky and Courtney Vonlinden of Missoula; and three great-grandchildren, Tanner, Ethan and Jason. He also is survived by his little dog, Babe.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Garden City Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow services at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, 1911 Tower St. There will be a reception celebrating Dick's life at the Eagles Lodge at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hospice of Missoula, UM Athletic Association or the charity of your choice. Garden City Fune
Read Charles Vandeveer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.