Richard "Rich" Fox
Richard “Rich” Fox, 85 of Billings, passed
away August 29, 2009 at Sweetwater Retirement Community. Rich
was born on January 29, 1924, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Alex and
Marguarite Fox, the second of five children. In 1933 Rich and
his family moved to Park City, MT where his father secured
employment with the Singer Company and the family prospered.
After high school graduation in 1942, the nation’s youth was called
upon and Rich enlisted in the United States Army where he served in
Europe until his honorable discharge in June 1945.
The University of Montana came calling in the spring of 1946 and
Rich fell into an education and coaching curriculum, supporting
himself and paying tuition by delivering ice to customers in the
Missoula area.
Rich was called again in June 1946 during a visit home to Park City
where he met a fair haired 18 year old art student, Bernadine Dell
Claussen. The courtship was short and sweet, the couple was
married on December 1, 1946 in Park City, Montana. Bernadine
worked and helped support Rich in his pursuit of a teaching and
coaching degree which he attained in May of 1949.
His first teaching contract took the now growing family, Dick (age
2) and Gary (age 1), to Darby, Montana where Rich taught math and
coached 6 man football and basketball.
In 1954 Rich signed his second teaching contract, picked up his
family and moved to Billings where he taught math and coached
Billings Senior Colt football. Rich and Bernie added a third son Tom
in 1958.
Billings West High School construction was completed in 1961 and
Rich signed his third and final contract. He continued
teaching Algebra and Geometry and coached Cub football and West High
boys and girls golf teams for a number of years.
In 1980, Rich retired to the family home on Burlington Avenue
spending his time fishing, a cabin on the Stillwater River, and
golfing at both the Laurel Country Club and Peter Yegan Golf Course.
Don Bachman of Wemberly, Texas, Rich’s brother-in-law, wrote in a
congratulatory letter in December of 1958, “Rich, congratulations on
your new boy...if all else fails, you can always say you’ve got
three sons.” I think Dad took great store in that.
Rich was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Bernadine; and
by sisters Lorraine Snow and Margie Eastlick of Park City; and by
brother Don Fox of Billings.
He is survived by his three sons, Dick and wife Judy of Billings,
Gary and wife Carla of Billings, and Tom and wife Kristin of
Albuquerque, New Mexico. His is also survived by
grandchildren, Alex (Christy) Fox of Gallatin Gateway, Amy (Dwayne)
Vogel of Billings, Gary and Brittany Fox of Billings and Rebecca and
Anne Fox of Albuquerque. He is also survived by six
great-grandchildren, Austin and Hannah Vogel and Megan, Emma, Clara
and Lauren Fox.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Mr. Fox was my favorite teacher . What I learned from him I have applied through out me life. He not only gave me the knowledge of math but gave me special advise. I will miss him.
Marilyn (Thompson) Marchinek
Mr. Fox was a great friend of my father, Frank Estes. They so enjoyed each other's company, whether it was poker, fishing, hunting or golf. I so remember him showing up at our home for poker night! Great sense of humor and the sweet smell of cigars. Sorry for your loss, Fox family.
Marian Griffith Roscoe