Richard L. Todd

Richard L. “Dick” Todd of Montrose, CO joined the loving arms of our Lord on February 9, 2015 at the age of 79. He was born December 11, 1935 and was the 4^th of 5 sons of John and Dorothy Davis Todd of Hotchkiss, Colorado.   The Todds were ranchers in the Crawford/Hotchkiss area and Dick spent much of his childhood with his family in the hills and on the ranch.  He rode a horse to the school bus stop and they had no running water or electricity until he was 16 years old.  Dick graduated from Hotchkiss High in 1954 and was an all-conference athlete in football and basketball as well as a Western Slope boxing champion.   After attending Mesa Junior College, Dick graduated from Western State with a degree in History.

Shortly after graduation, Dick married the love of his life, Martha Rose “Marty” Coutts, on Aug 8, 1959.  They had 5 children, Randal who died as an infant, and Richard, Marcella, Ronald, and Robert.  Dick started his teaching and coaching career in Ouray and was the first basketball coach in their history to take a team to Denver for the state tournament, both in 1960 and ’61.  After continuing his coaching and teaching at Montrose High, Dick took a plunge into business and became a State Farm insurance agent in 1966.  He was a well loved agent in Montrose and the surrounding area for 29 years, retiring in 1995.

Dick loved sports and coaching his sons regardless of the sport.  He coached youth football, basketball, and baseball and his teams were always near the top of the league.   After retirement and splitting time between Montrose and Mesa, Arizona, golf became Dick’s passion and it was not uncommon for him to play over 150 rounds in a year.    He won multiple tournaments and this last September, just a few days before Dick was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he played his last round of golf with his buddies at Black Canyon Golf Course and shot an 84.

He loved spending time with his 11 grandchildren repeating as the number 1 fan in the stands and his passion for coaching never ended.  He is especially proud as each graduated from college or is on their say to do so. A blessing for the family was Dick receiving all the sacraments and formally joining the Catholic Church this fall.

Dick is survived by wife, Marty; Rich and wife Joanie Mancini Todd of Centennial, CO and children Alex and Reagan; daughter Marcella Todd D’Orazio and her husband John of Denver, CO and children Oliver, Emma, Daniel, and Natalia; son Ron and his wife Tara Thompson Todd of Larkspur, CO and their daughters Taylore and Teaghan; and son Rob and his wife Robin Rogers Todd of Lee’s Summit, MO, and their children Claire, Austin, and Drew.

Dick is also survived by brother Lt. Colonel (retired) John Todd and his wife Nancy Hubbard Todd of Anchorage, Alaska;  Dr. Robert and wife Betty Jo Holmes Todd (deceased) of Dickinson, ND; and Larry and wife Hetty Pipher  Todd of Crawford, CO.  Dr. Jim Todd and his wife Ruth Lee Todd of Grand Junction, CO both preceded him in death.

A Rosary will be recited on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church in Montrose. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2015 at 10:00 am at  St. Mary Catholic Church. The Service will conclude at the Church. To send condolences to the family in loving memory of Dick,  you may go to www.crippinfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions in the honor of Dick Todd can be made to the Montrose Food Bank Sharing Ministries, 121 N. Rio Grande, Montrose, CO  81401.  Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, Colorado is assisting the family.