Richard "Dick" Roske

Richard "Dick" Malvin Roske 

Dick Roske passed away at home with his loved ones by his side on January 22, 2025, at the age of 79. Dick was born in Billings, Montana, on July 18, 1945, to Malven and Ruby Roske. 

Dick attended Bonner Elementary School and Missoula County Public Schools. He was a member of the chess club, participated in trampoline class, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He completed an apprenticeship in plumbing and pipefitting and then worked as a superintendent for over 20 years with R.H. Grover. During this time, he was proud to assist in building the Washington Grizzly Stadium. After often working on the road, Dick decided it was time to be closer to home and accepted a position with the University of Montana, where he served as the superintendent of pipefitting and facilities until his retirement. 

Dick married the love of his life, Shannon Burke, on April 16, 1966. They welcomed their son Jon in 1967 and daughter Kelleen in 1969. Dick's son Jason joined the family in 1985. Dick was proud of all his children and their accomplishments. Dick and Shannon loved playing pinochle with friends and two-stepping on a Friday night. Their favorite place was the Happy Bungalow in Turah. In 2012 Shannon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dick lovingly cared for her in their home until she passed in 2020. 

In his younger years after high school, Dick was a skilled skier at Marshall Mountain and even tried his hand at bareback riding in rodeos. Dick enjoyed leather work, building pack saddles, belts, and wallets with skill and dedication. He loved his horses and played cowboy polo, where he excelled at the guard position. Dick enjoyed packing into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with his family and used his horses to pack in and out of his hunting camp up Rock Creek, where he spent the first week of hunting season every year. His pride and joy was his stud horse J.B. who fathered many beautiful line back dun foals through the years. 

Dick was a dedicated fan of the Montana Grizzlies. He enjoyed watching them in all sports, but his true passion was football. He looked forward to each fall and home games at Washington Grizzly Stadium. He passed his passion for the Grizzlies and football onto his daughter Kelleen, and they shared seats in the North End Zone. In 2023, Jon was able to join Dick and Kelleen at home games and watch as the Grizzlies moved on to the National Championship. Lasting memories were made during that season. Dick's grandson relayed that while grandpa was usually the quietest man in the room, that all changed when Griz football came on.

Dick and Shannon loved and raised Boston Terriers throughout their years. The last one they picked together in 2014, Shannon named Toby. Toby watched over her and then shifted his focus to Dick. You rarely saw Dick anywhere without Toby. 

Dick had a special relationship with his first cousins. Every year, during the first week of August, you would find him at the pond in Drummond enjoying his family reunion. Throughout his life, Dick made lifelong friends through his profession and his horses, including two exceptional friends, Dave Larson and Jim Melton. In 2016, Dick was admitted to the hospital. With Shannon needing care, a guardian angel, Judy Eichenlaub, appeared and began caring for Shannon. Judy continued to visit twice a week to help Dick right up to his passing. Judy introduced her brother Max to Dick, and they shared conversation, coffee, maple bars, and Friday trips touring around Western Montana looking for wildlife and finding spots for breakfast or lunch. Dick spent time weekly with his neighbor Milo and often had him and Max over to watch the Grizzlies play. These friendships in his later years meant the world to Dick and his family. 

Dick was preceded in death by his sister Faye Roske, brother Ronnie Roske, father Malven Roske, grandson Joseph Roske, mother Ruby Hedges Roske, niece Ronda Getschman, and sister Rita Swartz. He is survived by his son Jon (Sally) Roske, daughter Kelleen (John) Roseboom, son Jason Roske; grandchildren Jake (Tabby) Roske, Becca Roseboom, Jensen (Christine) Roseboom, Anna (Reef) Johnston, and Nate Roske; five great-grandchildren; and his buddies, Toby and Buster. Dick is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. 

A celebration of life for Dick and Shannon will be held in August in conjunction with Dick's annual family reunion. More information will be published later in the year.