Obituary of Richard Urquidi

Richard L Urquidi passed away Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020 at St Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.  A viewing for family and friends will be held at Rost Funeral Home from 4 to 6 pm on Dec 9, 2020.  A private rosary and mass will be held this week, and a celebration of life will be held at a later time. 

Richard was born in Mountain Home to John and Louisa (Uriona) Urquidi who raised him in Grand View working in the Woodcreek Sheep Camp until moving to the Mountain Home family farm when he was about ten.  He graduated in the class of 1960 from Mountain Home High, and went on to College of Idaho obtaining a degree in history education and later a masters at Boise State University.  His master's thesis topic was the History of Basques in the Mountain Home area.  Rich was best known for teaching Idaho Living, US History and Driver’s Education using his own, unique storytelling and personal experiences to enhance his work as well as writing his own Idaho History text.  He taught for 30 years and was beloved.  

Richard was an active community member involved in the Elks, Euskal Lagunak Basque Association, Elmore County Historical Society and in retirement, often served as a volunteer at many funerals with his wife, Karol assisting at Rost Funeral Home.  

He married his high school sweetheart on Dec 19, 1964.  They lived their 56 years dedicated to each other and their family and friends.  Their son, Richard, is married to Rhonda (FIsher), and their children are Katie (Alexander) Ellington, Riley and Joseph.  Richard enjoyed his grandchildren’s lives and loved seeing them grow up.  

We will miss him driving to the desert with Karol by his side.  In heaven, he has an International pickup, circa 1970, an open can of Oly, and he rides the hills and back country roads of the county telling stories of the trail and picking up arrowheads, magical finds in the sagebrush.  Or maybe, he’s riding along an Idaho river throwing in a line and frying up little rainbow trout for dinner, but surely, there’s a can of Oly and a story to share.  

Donations in his name may be made to: Euskal Lagunak Building Fund, PO Box 88, Mtn. Home, ID 83547

Elmore County Historical Society 180 S 3rd East Mtn. Home, ID 83647