Richard L. "Rich" Gajdosik

Richard Lee Gajdosik, beloved husband, dad and Pappy, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at the age of 66. Rich was the youngest of three sons born to Leo and Hazel Gajdosik in Baltimore. He left home in 1967 to attend Marshall University in West Virginia. He transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in physical therapy.

In 1971, Rich married Carrie Carol Giller, the love of his life and best friend. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they worked as physical therapists and he completed his Master of Science degree in human anatomy at the University of Cincinnati. While backpacking in the Cabinet Mountains, Rich and Carrie fell in love with Montana and made it their home. In 1975, they moved to Dillon, where Rich was the physical therapist at Barrett Hospital. A year later they moved to Missoula, where he and Carrie raised their two beautiful daughters and he lived for the remainder of his life.

In Missoula, Rich began his teaching and research career at the University of Montana. In the early '80s Rich took a leave of absence from UM and with his family moved to the University of North Carolina for three years, where Rich completed his Ph.D. in anatomy and physiology. Rich taught anatomy and kinesiology at UM for 32 years in the pre-physical and physical therapy department. He was the driving force behind the transition from the pre-physical program to the professional physical therapy program. He mentored many students and was an active researcher. He published numerous papers and gave many presentations around the world. Rich retired from UM in 2009.

Rich loved to travel and, with Carrie, traveled throughout his lifetime. In 1974 BC (Before Children), they ventured around the world for a year. They traveled through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Czechoslovakia and England. Years later they took their teenage daughters back to New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India and Sri Lanka. He lived in New Zealand during his two sabbaticals from UM. Over the years they also visited countries in Africa, Europe and Central America. Rich also loved to garden, and shared his beautiful flowers and vegetables with family and friends. We were all proud of his first-place ribbon for his cinderella pumpkin, second place for his garlics, and third place for his spaghetti squash at the Missoula County Fair. Since retirement, Rich had become a history buff and often shared his tidbits of knowledge about world explorers.

Rich was cherished by his family and friends. He leaves behind Carrie, his wife of 44 years; his daughters, Robyn (Nate) Lance and Kelly (Ryan) Faris; and his adored and deeply loved grandsons, Rhys, Kellen and Wyatt. He is survived by his dear friends here and around the world, and his many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Terry and Gavin.

The family will celebrate his life at a later date with friends and loved ones. We ask that instead of flowers, donations be made to
Read Richard Gajdosik's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.