Richard "Dick" Schoonover

Dick was born on Sept. 2, 1950, to Phil and Katie Schoonover in Fort Benton, Montana. He graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1969 and went on to a few years of college at Northern Montana College. He then moved to Great Falls to work for the Montana Power Company as a meter reader before advancing to the accounting department and then to Operations Assistant. He retired from MPC after 30 years. After several years of retirement, he then worked for the Glass Doctor until he was unable to continue due to his health. He was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2019 and battled the illness until his death on May 2, 2023.

He married Karen Gregovich in 1980, and in 1987, their son, Matthew was born. He was the pride of Dick's life, coaching him in baseball, basketball, football, and soccer.

He enjoyed playing softball, basketball and racquetball, hunting, and watching rodeo, and he loved going to the Bobcat football games with Matthew and friends. In 2017, Dick and Matthew were able to go to Los Angeles to watch his beloved Dodgers play in the World Series, a highlight for Dick.

Dick was actively involved in the community with Special Olympics, Shrine Game, Heisey Youth Center, American Little League Baseball, University of Providence Rodeo, and the Confero Sports Foundation. Great Falls will never be the same without Schoony in the stands. The sports community has lost a huge fan.

He leaves behind his wife, Karen; son, Matthew; brother, Frank (Jean) Schoonover; sister, Sandy (Wayne) Lynn; mother-in-law, Gayle Gregovich; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins, and so many, many friends throughout Montana, and beyond.

Dick's life was blessed with a plethora of friends - his Fort Benton High School contingent, his work pals, his sporting event buddies, his friends who were friends of friends. They were all so supportive and helpful to Dick over his lifetime and especially these last few years. And Dick loved all the wonderful dogs he had through the years, and they loved him.

No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dick's name to the Maclean Animal Shelter, 900 25 Ave. NE, Great Falls, MT 59404; the Confero Sports Foundation 400 3rd St. NW, Great Falls, MT 59404; or the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute through the Benefis Health System Foundation, 1101 26 ^th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.