By HDN Staff
CHINOOK Richard John Paugh, 57, city water and wastewater superintendent in Chinook, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, at a Great Falls hospital due to cancer.
Richard was born April 4, 1944, in Havre to Evelyne and John Paugh.
Upon graduation from Havre High School, Richard left Montana for California and the San Francisco Bay area. Shortly after his arrival in California, he enlisted and served a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy stationed in Vietnam. He returned to the Bay area after his tour of duty was completed. He worked as a tugboat captain, as a roadie for The Loading Zone, and earned his master welder certification. In 1976, he and his wife, Linda, left the Bay area and returned to Montana.
Richard was an accomplished metal sculptor, hunter, fisherman and Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast. His yellow Sportster was a common sight along the Hi-Line.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Paugh of Chinook; sons, Harley and Lucas Paugh of Butte; parents north of Havre; sister, Vickie O'Leary of Havre; numerous friends.
Memorials may be made to The Gift of Life Foundation or the Harley Davidson Ride for Life.
