Richard Philip Luedtke

In the early morning of December 11, 2008 Richard P. Luedtke passed away in his sleep at his home Welcome Ranch in Eastport, ID. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Crossroads Chapel, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A remembrance gathering will follow the services at the Good Grief Café, Good Grief, Idaho at 4:00pm. "Doc" was born March 27, 1923 in North Chicago, III to Philip and Helen Fortin. His parents were divorced when he was 5 years old and he and his mother moved to Antioch, III where he graduated from High School. Richard entered college at Iowa State University and joined and Army Veterinary Corp from 1942 to 1944 while in college. He continued to work and a field inspector for the Army which completing his degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1945. During this time his mother remarried Otto Luedtke who adopted Richard at the age of 21. He practiced veterinary medicine in various clinics in Illinois until deciding to start his own clinic in Oregon, Illinois, which became a very successful practice. During this time he had made several trips 'out west' and decided to sell his practice and take a job with the US Government as their veterinarian for the top 5 counties of Idaho. The entire family moved to Coeur D' Alene but Richard spent most of his time at the Canadian Border so purchased Welcome Ranch, in Eastport Idaho, from the Davis family. Doc quickly went up in rank with the U.S. Government living in various places around the country, though returning to Welcome Ranch each summer and during most vacations. He finally retired as Senior Executive Service while in Washington DC and moved permanently to the Welcome Ranch in 1988. Mary Ann continued to work at Bonners Ferry High School until her retirement. Richard was a blackbelt in judo and a great lover of wildlife and animals. He and his wife were both very active in community planning and zoning and the Republican Party. Mary Ann passed away in 2004. 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 the Idaho Conservation League, P.O. Box 844, Boise, Idaho 83701-0844 att. Huki Molina. Family and friends are invited to sign Richard’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.