Richard D. "Dick" Wilder

Missoula  -  Richard D. Wilder peacefully passed away on February 26, 2026 at age 91 and now is in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dick was born on September 8, 1934 in Austin, MN to Donald E. and Gertrude K. Wilder. He graduated from Austin High School in 1952 and attended Austin Junior College for two years where he enjoyed playing basketball for the Junior College Team and many years of City League Basketball in Alaska, Wyoming and Missoula, Montana.

In March 1954, he hitchhiked from Austin, MN to Burbank, CA where his parents had previously moved and one month later, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was trained as a Radar Technician for three years on the Strategic Air Command B-36 Bombers. He felt privileged to work on those big airplanes at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico and from that training and experience, he gained a lifelong career in electronics.

In August 1955, he married Janice Elaine Johnson in Austin, MN. To this union 4 children were born, Janan Marie in Minneapolis, MN, Kristine Kay in Rock Springs, WY, Daniel Emerson in Rock Springs, WY, Karen Lynn on the island of Guam.

While living in Rock Springs, WY, he worked part-time for a local radio station as an engineer/disc jockey playing his favorite country music. He began advanced electronic training at the Northwestern TV and Electronic Institute in the spring of 1958. He also worked as a radio technician for North Central Airlines.

In the fall of 1959, Dick accepted a job with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Electronic Technician maintaining ground-based air navigation facilities and radars for the Air Traffic Control System. His job took him to Fargo, ND, Rock Springs, WY, Wake Island, Guam, Cold Bay, AK, Bethal, AK, Billings, MT, Missoula, MT, Great Falls, MT, Spokane, WA, Seattle, WA, and Salt Lake City, UT.

In 1977 Dick married Helen Marie Mix. After his retirement in 1995, they built their home in Florence, MT and became members of the Community Baptist Church in Stevensville, MT. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, golf, jogging, walking, camping and fellowshipping with their many friends.

In the summer of 1999, he took his first trip to China with English Language Institute (ELIC) helping Chinese English teachers improve their English skills. He returned to China 10 times for teaching assignments. His last trip to China was in January 2013.

Dick is survived by daughter Janan Lamb (Rich) of Lolo, MT, daughter Kristine Willette of Phoenix, AZ, son Daniel Wilder (Lori) of Gold Canyon, AZ and daughter Karen Bailey (Christopher) of Phoenix, AZ and his two step-sons Steve Mix (Paula) of Great Falls, MT and Bruce Mix (Vicky) of Missoula, MT, brother Donald Wilder of Vacaville, CA, sister Sheryl Kelly (Randy) of Palmdale, CA, and was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dick is preceded in death by his wife Helen Wilder, parents Donald and Gertrude Wilder, brother Douglas Wilder, sister Kathy Ihms and grandson Karl Willette.

He thanked the God of Creation (the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) for the gift of life and praised, honored and worshiped God for the free gift of salvation and restoration through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ “For it is His grace (love) we are saved, through our faith…” (Ephesians 2:8).

Funeral services will take place at Community Baptist Church in Stevensville, MT on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM with a private family burial taking place earlier at the Missoula City Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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