Richard "Rick" Wilkonski, 69

Richard “Rick” Wilkonski, 69, a longtime resident of Libby, passed away Oct. 17, 2020. Rick was born in Strasbourg, France, and immigrated to the United State with his parents, Marliese and Henry Wilkonski, and younger sister, Christine Wilkonski, at the age of four. The young family settled in Libby, where Rick attended local schools and played the trumpet in the band. Rick excelled in school, especially in math and science.

He joined the U.S. Navy and served for two years as a corpsman. He received an honorable discharge. After leaving the Navy, Rick attended college in Bozeman and Missoula. He spent the summers working as a wilderness guard and spent fire season at a lookout on Scenery Mountain.

After college Rick started his career in accounting with the IRS before returning to Libby, where he made his home until moving to Florida in 2017. Montana called Rick back home, where he established an accounting office in Libby, “R.H. Wilkonski Accounting,” and he spent a large portion of his time helping local residents with their small business accounting needs and tax returns.

He met and married Pam Peterson in 2000 and they built a home on Kootenai River Road overlooking Quartz Creek. Rick enjoyed living in the country, traveling both domestically and abroad — where he spent time getting to know his French family — hiking, reading and spending time with his wife, Pam. Rick had a bucket list which was very diverse, and he left this earth having fulfilled many of the items on his list. He lived a full life.

Rick was preceded in death by both his parents, Henry and Marliese Wilkonski; his mother-in-law, Helen Peterson; and brother-in-law, Tom Peterson. He is survived by his wife, Pam Wilkonski of Libby; four sisters, Christine Wilkonski, Tami Hunter, Sue Kukus and Renee Wilkonski-Larson; three brothers, Mike Wilkonski, Ron Wilkonski and John Wilkonski; five nephews and two nieces; a sister-in-law, Ann and a brother-in-law, John. He also leaves behind several aunts, uncles and cousins in both the United States and in France.

Rick will be cremated and returned to rest in Libby. A private, family memorial service will be held in the summer when Rick’s ashes will be scattered on a beautiful mountain overlooking the peaceful Kootenai River Valley, which was his beloved home for many years.