Samuel E. Richardson

Samuel E. Richardson, 81, of Glasgow, Mont., passed away Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at Valley View Home in Glasgow.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m., at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow with a reception following.

Sam was born Nov. 14, 1941, in Glasgow, to Ellsworth and Josephine (Stilson) Richardson. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1959. After graduation, Sam attended Montana State University for a year and continued his education at the School of Aeronautics in Helena, Mont. Sam entered the U.S. Army in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1967. After his discharge, he went to work for Mendel Flying Service in Malta, Mont., where he met and married Sherrill D. "Sherry" Sintler on May 24, 1969. The couple resided in Fort Peck, Mont., for 49 years. In 1969 he entered the training program for the Corps of Engineers. He became a power plant electrician, power plant technician, and superintendent of the power plant, a position he held until his retirement in 1996.

Sam had two loves in his lifetime...one being his wife, Sherry, and the other his love of flying... Not necessarily in that order. He was an avid reader. He was an experienced pilot with private, commercial, and instrument and multi-engine ratings. Days and hours were spent at his shop building, fixing and repairing items for not only his wife but his friends and relatives. In 1981 after years of research, they purchased land suitable for an earth home. It took him seven years to construct but he was free of house payments and in 1987 they moved in. He enjoyed his gun collection and practiced target shooting regularly. Sam loved working on old cars and restoring them to their original status. At one time he was a member of the NRA, Valley Hanger: Experimental Aircraft Association, and Montana Pilots Association.

Because of poor health, in 2018 he and his wife, Sherry, sold their home and moved to Glasgow.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Josephine and Ellsworth Richardson; sister Amy Carlson and her husband Ed Carlson.

Sam is survived by his wife, Sherry Richardson, of Glasgow, his sister, Florence Melissa "Flo" (Brice) Mercord, of Morrison, Colo.; sister-in-law Shelly (Rufus) Dunbar; brother-in-law Jim (Leila) Sintler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Zoo Montana, Billings, Mont., or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.