Richard "Dick" Alvin Dawson

Dick Dawson passed away at his home near Bonners Ferry on April 1, 2023.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 21, 2023 at the Bonners Ferry High School Becker Auditorium.

Dick was born on August 19, 1935 to Fred and Nelda (Kunz) Dawson in Springfield Nebraska.

It is impossible to sum up the life of Dick Dawson in such a small amount of space. Memories he left would fill a book, but I’ll try to give a few highlights.

The summer of 1963: Wauneta Linnemeyer was working at the Marquette Drive-In in Woodland, California when this young man, with black curly hair, wearing no shirt, came riding his bike through the parking lot, popped a wheelie, hit the hot oil on the pavement, and dumped the driver right in front of her. She gave him a standing ovation and a big “Good Job” for his performance. Their next meeting was at a dance where Dick asked her to dance, to dinner and then to be his wife. That was 58 years ago.

They were neither one too happy living in California, so in November of 1964 they loaded all their belongings into their 1961 Oldsmobile and headed to Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Dick was introduced to a snow shovel and the Lumbermill Green Chain. Wauneta bought a horse named Yo-Yo!

Soon after coming home, they heard about a farm that was going into bankruptcy. For $8,000.00 they bought 80 acres with a house, a barn, and room for more horses.

A former boxer himself, Dick took over the Bonners Ferry Boxing Club in 1967. He coached and mentored many boys for the next 25 – 30 years. Besides learning a skill for boxing, he taught them the rewards of hard work, discipline, and respect. Wauneta was his partner, helping wherever she was needed, including the hot dog sales at every match.

Dick spent four years working on the pipeline in Valdez, Alaska.

In 1980, Dick took the job of custodian at Bonners Ferry High School. This position gave him another opportunity to work with young adults. Under Dick’s watch, the halls and lockers were kept spotless. Dick held both the students and the faculty accountable. He was respected, and loved by everyone who knew him, especially the young people. He remembered every one of them.

Wauneta was busy raising and showing Arabian horses, so Dick had to have a few horses of his own. Like 125 horses under the seat of his Candy Apple red Honda Gold Wing Motorcycle. He put many miles on that bike including several trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

Eventually, he traded his two wheels for four wheels – in the shape of a red 1929 Chevy sedan. He was very recognizable at parades and car shows.

At the age of 74 years, he joined Iron Mike’s Gym and began a daily work out and weight lifting regime. He holds three trophies for Weight Lifting in his age category.

Dick (Mr. Dawson) will be missed.

More importantly, though, he will be remembered. By his Strength, by his Values, and by his Love for Everyone.