RICHARD GRIFFING obituary

Richard Brewer “Dick” Griffing, 78, died Monday, July 3, 2006, at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place and, at his request, no services are scheduled. Richard was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Manhattan, Kan., to Ward and Minnie (Frey) Griffing. He was raised and educated in Kansas. Richard married Virginia Griffin, and the couple later divorced. Richard entered the U.S. Navy in April of 1945 serving in World War II. Richard worked at the U.S. Naval Reserve Hospital Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Richard then attended Kansas State University and studied at the Kansas City Medical Center, where he obtained his medical degree.

In November of 1975, he married Alvira Hawkins in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Richard was an independent anesthesiologist and worked for 10 years at the Great Falls Clinic. He retired and moved to Havre in 1980. Richard enjoyed bird watching, writing, working crossword puzzles and studying people's reactions to events on television or just on the street. He was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Richard was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Alvira Griffing, of Havre; daughter, Elizabeth (Lee) Heiman of Helena; sons, Stanton Clarke (Betsy Price) Griffing of West Chester, Pa., and Lawrence Randolph Griffing of College Hearne, Texas; brother, William James Griffing of Greenfield, Ind.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in Richard's honor can be made to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, N.Y. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.