Richard V. "Dick" Clearman, 91, passed away in the morning, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Richard Vincent "Dick" Clearman
12/15/1932 - 4/27/2024
Dick was born December 15, 1932 to Rollin Leslie Clearman and Bessie May (Cleary)
Clearman on the homestead in Choteau, Montana. Shortly after Rollin moved his young family
to Stemple Pass to work in the Jay Gould mine. The family again relocated to Helena where
they remained. The Family joined the Nazarene church in Helena. Dick and his brothers went
to summer teen church camp on the Boulder river near Big Timber MT, where he met the love
of his life washing dishes. Their friendship grew into love when Galen moved from Basin WY to
work in Helena. Dick often joked that he had to marry Galen because "she moved into my bedroom."
During this time he and some of his friends were trying to impress some young ladies (prior to
marrying Galen) by telling them they were going to be smokejumpers, thinking they would never
be hired. Much to their surprise they were hired on the spot when they went to inquire. Dick was
able to pay for college using his smokejumper income as well as the support of his lovely wife.
Dick and Galen were married in Helena on September 7, 1952 and were together for over 71
years. Dick graduated from the University of Montana (MSU back then) with a degree in History
and Political Science. He was a part of the ROTC program. Upon graduation he was
commissioned and headed to Fort Bliss, Oklahoma, for training. His first duty station was El
Paso, Texas, where their oldest daughter, Meredith Ann was born. His next duty station was
Fort Hanford, Washington, where Robin Jean was born. Dick then left for his next assignment in
Germany. Galen traveled across the world to meet Dick in Germany, with a toddler, baby and
bags all while wearing a skirt and high heels in the middle of winter. From there they traveled
cross-country many times, often stopping to spend time in Dick's beloved Montana.
During the time he served in the Army, he was deployed during the Vietnam War, to Korea, and
was stationed in Germany twice as well as several different locations around the United States.
While serving he graduated from Command and General Staff College and earned an MBA
from Boston University. He became a Lieutenant Colonel-Field Artillery. He also earned a
Bronze Star, an Air Award, and many other honors while serving our country.
Dick and Galen's third daughter Shelly Irene was born in Heidelberg, Germany when Dick was
stationed there. Being that it was 12 years after Robin was born, Dick was so surprised to find
out that they were having a third child, that he thought Galen was joking when she announced
her pregnancy. Surprise, surprise, Shelly was born and their family became a family of five.
Dick's military career came full circle when the family settled in Missoula after making 18 moves
in 21 years. He was an Army ROTC instructor at the University of Montana before retiring from
the military on December 31, 1974.

He always found time to hunt elk, deer, moose and antelope. He was fortunate enough to
harvest over 30 elk in his hunting career. He was an avid fisherman and took his grandsons
with him to Canada to fish. He loved his Green Bay Packers and rooted for them up and down
for many years along with the Montana Grizzlies.
He and his brother Bob purchased a mountain cabin property, in the same mountain range that
Dick and his brothers had grown up in, many years before. It has provided a great place for
many hunting trips, first fish catches, horseshoes, card games, family reunions and much, much
more for all of the kids and grandkids in the family to enjoy. Family was always Dick's priority
and he centered much of his energy and time into bringing family together in this special place.
Dick began his second career with New York Life insurance. He helped many families plan for
their futures and gained some wonderful friends. He was recognized by NYL for excellence
winning many awards. "Though he may no longer be with us, the imprint he leaves upon our
hearts remains eternally vivid - a testament to the depth of his spirit and the richness of his
legacy." Thomas Miller, Montana General Office/New York Life.
Dick is survived by his wife, Meredith Galen Clearman, his daughter, Meredith Ann and her
husband Glenn Howard, and their children Jason (son) and his wife Shelley, their children Jake,
CJ and Jax Howard, Ben (son) and his wife, Hillary and their daughter, Faith; Dick's second
daughter, Robin Jean and her husband, John (deceased) Hamilton, and her children, Hylarie
(daughter) and Dustin LeRette and their boys, Derrick, Wyatt, Henry and Vincent and Robin's
other daughter, Emily and her husband Jared Cambridge, and their children, Morgan and Mia;
Dick's third daughter, Shelly Irene, her husband Russ Blank, their children, Austin (son) and
Alyssa Blank, Kadie (daughter) and her husband Kirk Delmas, and their son, Charles, as well as
Philip and Ebony (deceased) Blank, whose daughters are Elena and Kaliyah.