Paul Friedrich

FLORENCE - Paul Robert Friedrich, 27, of Florence, passed away Tuesday, November. 18, 2008, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula as a result of an automobile accident.





He was born November. 6, 1981, in Glendive. Paul graduated from high school in the Class of 2000 at Dawson County High School in Glendive, then attended the University of Montana.





Following school, he worked in western Montana, with the last four years as a maintenance worker at Snowbowl Ski Resort in Missoula. Paul loved snowboarding in winter and fishing and hiking in summer. His favorite place on Earth was Snowbowl, where he lived, worked and played.





Paul always found the positive in everyone and every situation. He took everything in stride and, as anyone who hiked with him knew, he had a big stride. He had a big smile, a big heart and was always eager to lend a helping hand.





His nephews were looking forward to coming to Missoula this winter so “Uncle Paul” could teach them to snowboard. Paul was a beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. He will be missed terribly.





He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Ann Marie Harshbarger, paternal grandmother Lucille Friedrich and cousin Scott Hoffmeyer Jr.





His family includes his parents, David and Darlene Burtch of Florence and Eugene and January Friedrich of Billings; sister, Sasha Olson, brother-in-law Scott Olson and nephews Kyle, Jared and Dustin of Williston, N.D.; sister, Mandi Smith of Ronan; stepsisters, Kristy Burtch of Great Falls and Shannon Burtch of Owasso, Okla.; grandfathers, Galen Harshbarger of Williston and Robert Friedrich Sr. of Plentywood; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and his faithful dog Wags.





Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November. 24, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula with burial at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow at Snowbowl Ski Resort.





Pallbearers will be Pat McKay, Bill Comstock, Sam Charlo, Aaron Harshbarger, Riley Strain, Todd Lozeau and Bo Helm. Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Harshbarger, Sasha Olson, Robert Friedrich Jr., Carl Friedrich, Owen Smith and Mark Smith.





The family suggests that memorials be made to Montana Educators Credit Union, in care of the Paul Friedrich Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 2668, Missoula, MT 59806. The fund is for the benefit of the Western Montana Humane Society.






Read Paul Friedrich's Obituary and Guestbook.