Richard Frank Novark

Richard Frank Novark, to some people he was Slats, Kim, Mr. Novark and Coach Novark, but to my brother and I, he was Dad.

Dad taught and coached at a variety of high schools in Montana and South Dakota for about 30 years.

Dad attended public schools in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1957.  He the went to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana graduating with a Bachelors degree in teaching. Dad married Thelma Wheeler and they were later divorced.  However, they remained good friends for the rest of their lives.

Dad had an amazing memory and loved sports and history.  He especially loved the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, as he lived in Southern California a short time with his parents and sister Cheryl while he was a teenager.  There wasn’t a stat he did not know about any of the players in any of the major league games.  He loved coaching Little League baseball and coached a young team in Lewiston while teaching in Denton, Montana.  He  was also a sport announcer for local games in Hardin and he also worked for the local radio station in general while teaching in Lodge Grass.

Dad was born on May 23, 1939, and passed away on December 26, 2022.

Dad was born Richard (Dick) Frank Novark, the third of four children, to Stanley (Bud) Novark and Doris Mamie (Vickers) Novark in Hardin, Montana.  He was a third generation of what is now six generations of Vickers descendants that were born in Montana.  Dad was also a lifetime member of the Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers. Dad’s great-grandfather, Robert Vickers came to Virginia City, Montana in April of 1865.

Dad is survived by his children Melanie and Russell Novark, granddaughter Vera, and sister Cheryl (Bob) Hardt along with many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, 3 great great nephews and 5 great great nieces.

Dad is predeceased by his parents, Bud and Doris Novark, brother Bernard Novark, and sister Beverly Yerger.

Graveside services will take place September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM in Hardin, Montana at the Fairview Cemetery.

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