Richard M. Horth

RICHARD M. HORTH

Richard M. Horth ws born in Brighton on June 6, 1931 to Merwyn Horth and Helen L. (Jung) Horth. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1949. He married his childhood sweetheart Melba Bredehoft on September 2, 1956, and and they lived on the family wheat farm east of Brighton, where they lived until moving to Brighton in 2008.

Survived by his son, Craig Horth; two daughters, Carol (Doug) Groves, Brighton and Karen (Brent) Biggs, Vail; six grandchildren, Jodi, Sarah, Shelby, Katelyn, Brian, Eric; and seven great grandchildren, Dylan, Drew, Jacob, Adelyn, Elizabeth, Karrisa and Averlee.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Melba; brother Ronald; and his father when he was five years old. His mother, now deceased, remarried to John Timmerman, also deceased.

A lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, Richard was baptized on July 26,1931 and confirmed on March 25, 1945. He served as an usher for many years and on the Board for Parish Education for a number of years.

Richard served in the US Army during the Korean War where he took his training in Virginia Beach, Virginia, then partook in Operation Blue Jay in Thule Bay, Greenland and then was sent to Pusan, Korea. He was nominated for the Commendation Ribbon for Meritorious Service for his work in G3 Division of the 2nd Logistical Command.

After returning stateside he together with his brother in partnership operated the family farm and received several awards for their efforts in pioneering conservation tillage including the Goodyear Farmer of the Year award. They also worked with CSU in developing new wheat varieties.

He gave of his time serving the community by being on the board of directors of the Farm Bureau, and of Adams County Co-op Credit Union, and of the local Colorado Wheat Growers Association. He also served on the Adams Area Fire Protection Board of Directors and as chairman he with the board began the process of funding for the new Fire Station at the Great Rock development.

Richard fondly remembered the many family retreats to the family cabin at Red Feather Lakes and all the fish caught, and later with his wife and children for many years. Together with Melba they belonged to the Square Hoppers square dance club, Colorado Flying Farmers Club and the Colorado Excel campers club where they enjoyed many "Flyins" and "Campouts"!  Together they enjoyed traveling to many destinations in the United States in their private plane, in their Fifth Wheel RV and United Airlines where their daughter Carol is employed. They also became world travelers and traveled to Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Austria. They also went on several cruises. They especially enjoyed the Big lsland, Hawaii and Kuai where they had a time share. ln the winter time they "snowbirded" in Apache Junction, Arizona for almost 30 years where they had many friends and enjoyed square dancing. Before long Melba's sister Joyce & Ed Harshbarger came to the same park to share the sunshine.

Richard learned to enjoy life to the fullest, and loved the Lord and his farming and his family and getting together with family on holidays as well as watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. He was an excellent role model for them!

In Memory of Richard contributions can be made to: Zion Lutheran Church, 1400 South Skeel Street, Brighton, CO 80601

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