Richard P. Luedtke, 85

In the early morning of Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, Richard P. Luedtke, 85, passed away in his sleep at his home, the Welcome Ranch in Eastport.

Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 20, at Crossroads Chapel. A remembrance gathering will follow at Good Grief Café.

“Doc” was born March 27, 1923, in North Chicago to Philip and Helen Fortin.

Richard’s parents divorced when he was 5, and he and his mother moved to Antioch, Ill., where he graduated from high school.

Richard entered Iowa State University and belonged to the Army Veterinary Corp from 1942 to 1944 while in college.

He continued to work as a field inspector for the Army while completing his degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1945.

During this time, Richard’s mother remarried Otto Luedtke, who adopted Richard at age 21.

He practiced veterinary medicine at various clinics in Illinois until starting his own clinic in Oregon, Ill. It became a very successful practice.

During this time, Richard made several trips to the West and then sold his practice to take a job with the federal government as a veterinarian for the top five counties of Idaho.

The family moved to Coeur d’ Alene, but Richard spent most of his time at the Canadian Border so he purchased the Welcome Ranch from the Davis family.

Doc quickly moved up in rank with the government, living around the country while returning to Welcome Ranch each summer and during most vacations. He retired as senior executive service while in Washington, D.C., and moved to the Welcome Ranch in 1988.

His late wife, Mary Ann, continued to work at Bonners Ferry High School until her retirement. She passed away in 2004.

Richard was a black belt in judo and a great lover of wildlife and animals. He and his wife were very active in community planning and zoning and the Republican party.

Richard is survived by his son, Jason Luedtke;  daughters Leslie Zondervan-Droz and Leah Norton;  and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Idaho Conservation League, P.O. Box 844, Boise, Idaho, 83701-0844, attention Huki Molina.

Family and friends can sign Richard’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.