Obituary of Richard Gottlieb Thun

Richard G. Thun, 80, died on May 28, 2017 at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  He was a resident of Post Falls, Idaho at the time of his death.  He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 1, 1937 to Jenny Van Otten and Helmut Otto Thun. 

Richard grew up in Salt Lake City, UT.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a MP from 1955 to 1958.  He married Betty Norene (Walgren)Thun on December 26, 1958.  They were married for 58 ½ years at the time of his passing. 

Richard earned degrees from the University of Utah in drafting and engineering.  He went on to get his MBA from the University of Missoula.  He worked all over the country during his lifetime working for Bunker Hill in Kellogg, ID, and in Helena, MT, working for Kaiser Cement. He went on to form a business known as Spring Tools in Spokane, WA, and he had his own engineering company known as Gott Engineering.    Richard was a member of the Masonic temple, a Shriner, and a member of the Rotary club in the many places that he lived over the years. 

Richard appreciated the wilderness and nature, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He chose to be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in his favorite places by his children.   

He is survived by his wife Betty, and his children Pauline McLaughlin, Todd Thun, Eric Thun, and Suzanne Thun.  His grandchildren are Anthony Rice, Nick Thun, Natalie Thun, Sarah Badke, Shannon Thun, Sydney Thun, and Michaela Lombardo.  He is also survived by his brothers; Allen Hardman, David Thun, Dee Hardman, and Curtis Thun.  Richard had a strong bond with his siblings, and his family was very important to him.  

Preceding him in death are his father, Helmut Otto Thun, and his mother, Jenny Van Otten; his brother Robert Thun, and his sister Bonnie. 

He impacted the lives of many with his gentle kindness, his sense of humor, and his understanding ways.  His actions in life bore witness to the truth of living in all his dealings with people as Christ gave it to him to see.  He had an innate beauty of understanding, patience, and virtue rarely found in men.  He will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.  

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice in his name.