Richard Lynn Isle, age 64, passed away Saturday, September 30th in Bozeman, Montana. He was born in Wolf Point, MT on October 30, 1952 to Roger and Agnes Isle and was the youngest of 2 children. Rick was well known for his strong work ethic which started early, as a paper boy for local delivery of the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Throughout the rest of his youth he continued in the newspaper business, working at the Herald News which was owned by his maternal grand-parents.
Upon graduation from Wolf Point High School in 1972 he attended the University of Montana-Western in Dillon. He was pulled back to the town he loved so much after just one year and took a job at a local service station. In 1975, he purchased that service station and Rick’s Standard “later Ricks Exxon and Rick’s Tire and Service” became a staple in the community. He was proud of the work he and his staff did in serving the citizens of Northeast Montana for the next 29 years.
On June 25th, 1977 he married Michelle (Shelli) DuBe’, of North Saint Paul, MN. In 1980, they welcomed a son, Christopher Lynn. They were joined by a second son, Chase Michael, in 1982.
In 1984, the family added a second business, a bulk fuel plant known as Isle Oil Company. Rick was again proud of the work he and Shelli did in helping meet the needs of the local economy. He was a long-standing member of the Montana Petroleum Marketers Association and served on their Board of Directors at various times over the years.
In 1977, Rick acted on his desire to be more involved in serving his home town and joined the Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department. By the time he retired from the department in 1997, he had served as Fire Marshall, three terms as Captain, and was an Officer on the Fire Relief Association Board.
He continued to expand his community service in 1985 when he was elected to the Wolf Point City Council as an alderman for Ward 3. He served two honorable terms and was then elected to the office of Mayor in 1993. He was re-elected to the mayor’s office in 1997.
In 1999 he resigned from the mayor’s office to assume the role of Public Works Director for the City of Wolf Point. During his tenure, he and Shelli sold Rick’s Service and Isle Oil Company so Rick could focus on his new role and Shelli could explore other work opportunities. Rick proudly served as the PWD until May of 2017 when he retired due to his rapidly declining health.
Rick was committed to several community service organizations throughout his adult life. At various times he served as a member of the Jaycees, Lions Club, and served as a director for the Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce. He was also a fixture at his boys sporting and school events and some of his favorite memories were supporting his sons at their events. More recently, he was a member of the Montana Essential Air Committee and worked hard to maintain air service in Eastern Montana.
Rick was proceeded in death by his father Roger and mother Agnes. He is survived by his wife Shelli; son and daughter-in-law Chris and Carla Isle of Henderson Nevada; son and daughter-in-law Chase and Sheryl Isle of Bozeman, Montana; grandson Brent Michael, a freshman at UMary in Bismarck, ND; and sister Ruth Ann Boysun of Wolf Point. He leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Duke and Phyllis Torpy says
We are so sorry for your loss. Rick will always be remembered by his laugh and his kind smile. God will help you through this..
Barbara Padilla says
Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Isle family. Love and comfort to you.
TINA MAGNAN says
Rick was such a nice man. he had such a hearty laugh. Was a great Public Works Director.
Rick will be missed by many. My prayers are with his family, work family and friends.
Amy M. says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I met Rick through my job and he was always such a delight to talk to, he was not only a client, but a friend. He always had something funny and cheerful to say, he was truly one of the best. He will be missed, but always remembered.
Patti Crosby says
Sorry for your loss! Thoughts & Prayers for the family.
Joe Leggett says
Rick will be missed. I visited with him a couple years ago after my dad passed. Dad had told me that working at Hovey-Stone Chevrolet in Wolf Point with Roger was a his favorite job and time. I shared that with Rick and Rick told me, with a smile, that he worked there, as well, and I didn’t know that. He said he was just a kid back then, when he worked with his dad and my dad.
Carey and Rynette Olson says
We send our love and sympathy to all of Rick’s family and assure you that we are praying for God’s comfort to you. May “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Cor. 1:3-4) grant you strength and comfort.
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
I am sorry to hear of my classmates passing. He was a good man.
Kathy Toavs says
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers going out for his family. He was such a nice man.
Bill Henderson says
To the Rick Isle family,
I met Rick at an aviation conference.We became closer friends,as we were on the Essential Air Service committee, for eastern Montana.
As airport managers; we spent more time together exchanging ideas and views of what we did to manage the airports.
At that point, we seemed to realize that a true friendship lasts forever.
He will be missed by people that knew him ,like I did.
I’m thankful to have called him my friend.
My wife and I will continue to pray for Ricks family.
Sincerely,
Bill Henderson
Jackie G says
So sorry Shelley and family!
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight. ~Kahil Gibran
Larry French says
Shelli and family. Donna and I were so sorry to hear about Rick. Our thoughts are with you. You were true friends in Wolf Point.
Larry and Donna French
Brenda Bialorucki says
So sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with. Was glad I got to visit with him at Gail’s when he was in Billings.
Cindy Johnson says
Shelley , Chase and Chris, We are so very sorry to hear of Ricks passing. Clark and I have so many fun memories of Rick! Just so sorry, he was too young. Cindy Johnson
JoLynn FitzSimmons says
So many memories of meeting the Isle family while living in Wolf Point. Always know you will be in my heart and so happy our friendship has lasted over the years. Know Rick and Gary are watching over their families.
Bert J. Obert says
I’ve known Rick from his days at the service station and later as Public Works Director and managing the airport. Rick was a tremendous man and serves as an example of how many of us should approach life and those around us.
Karen Ault Egbert says
I was so sorry to hear about Rick. My sincere sympathy to Shelly and family. I pray your cherished memories will bring you comfort in the difficult days ahead. Rick was a classmate and friend. My thoughts are with you.
June Jensen says
So sorry to here of Ricks passing. Wasalways fun back in the late 70s early 80s to stop bye and say hi to him at the station. Always had a big smile . Prayers to Ticks family and friends. Fly high Rick. ?
Trudy Fox says
Thoughts and prayers are being said for all of you.
Troy Stengrim says
He was my favorite uncle, He took me shooting as a child, gave me my first job, and taught me how to work on cars. My greatest memory of him though is when he had told me about my father. My father had died when I was 3 so I didn’t no too much about him until Rick had told me about there times together.
I miss you and Love you Rick, Say hi to my Dad for me.
Carol Neutgens says
Rick was a classmate of mine and we had some great times. He was one of the kindest kids in the world and carried that into adult hood. I am proud to say he was my friend. He will be missed by many. May your good memories carry you through this difficult time.
Carol Neumiller Neutgens
Dave and Kay Matejovsky says
Shelli, Chris and Chase:
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Dave and I have very fond memories of working with Rick and Shelli.
He was always up for a good laugh! And the pranks we played on each other when I worked at Isle Oil will always be a
fond memory I will have of Rick.God’s blessings to you all, hug the memories close to your heart.
Dave and Kay Matejovsky
Dr. Kenneth Ryan says
The loss of Rick Isle will be deeply felt by the Citizens of the City of Wolf Point and the surrounding community for a long time. Rick was a kind, helpful, personable, world class professional and friend. When I moved into my new home in Wolf Point 5 years ago, Rick was so helpful and friendly. He bent over backwards to assist my Wife and I. In addition to delivering classy service to the City of Wolf Point and her Citizens, the epitome of Rick’s Work and Service was his work upon the Wolf Point Airport. The beautiful, level runway, lighting and taxi way is an example of the perfection of Rick’s attention to detail and work. A more beautiful Airport and runway exist nowhere else in the World. We will miss you my friend. Have a good journey and thank you for all you did for us.
Carla Payne says
Sending prayers to your family ❤️
Ernie Cotter says
Sorry to hear about Rick.thoughts and prayers
Roger and Carla Hunsley and family says
We are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Roger and Carla Hunsley
Lyle Hansen says
My condolences to his family , Rick will be missed…R I P …..
Tom Wyon says
Thoughts prayers and love. Once a friend, always a friend.
Joyce (Jackley} Baer says
I remember Rick as being the cute “little brother” of my friend Ruth. It is with a sad heart that I read this obit. However, I am sure that Rick lived a good life and was a good example to all who knew him. Let the memories sustain you until you meet again.
Alice & Merlin Christensen says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Family. Rick will be missed by many, but his memories will live on . He had a heart of gold and a smile you don’t forget. May god comfort you .
Clint W says
Rick had a twinkle in his eye that I will miss.
Tim Cody says
Thoughts and prayers to you, Shelley and the boys! May Rick Rest In Peace and may all the family find comfort!!
Christie Owens, a.k.a. Christie Barr says
Shelli, prayers for you and your family. I remember Rick and you from years ago when we all bowled on different teams in the League. My memories of Rick and you are great ones. He was always smiling or laughing. The community has lost a wonderful person, who respected each individual. May you find comfort knowing that he is remembered and will be missed.
Walter Runsabove says
So sorry and sad to hear this news of rick. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle, Chris, and my bro Chase. Thank you fellas for sharing your pops with me in our time of being young and growing up together. Rick was a very cool, supportive, and loving father that the creator blessed your family with. I love you all and will celebrate his life with you and mourn your loss. May the creator bless your family everyday! Love ya guys… Strength and Honor!!
Walt
Gary and Lynn ediger says
We are so sorry for your loss. Rick was a great guy !
Jude Stensland says
So sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. My thoughts are with you Shelli” Chris’ and Chase.
Pam Keller-Bell says
Condolences to the family and friends. Sending prayers.
Laurie & Bob Kinna says
So sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. Prayers to your family.
Bonnie Schutt Garrett says
Rick an I were classmates. He always had a smile an kind works. He was funny is school an everyone liked him. My prayers go out to the family. He’s with his maker an living in peace. GOD BLESS YOU AN YOUR house- whole. R.I.P. Rick ?????
Mary Dillon says
mfpdillon@hotmail.com
Don & Judy Elletson says
Sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Unfortunately, We found out too late to attend the service. Our sympathies to each of you, sure enjoyed your family when we were following the boys’ sports in high school.
Joni Fredrickson Kuntz says
So sorry to hear about Ricks passing.. Rick was a classmate.. Condolences to the family..
Pam Keller-Bell says
Condolences to the family and friends. Thank you and your family for what you have done in WP.