Richard D. Armiger passed away peacefully in his home Friday, Nov. 24, after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with family, full of laughter and love. Rich was born Feb. 15, 1948, to Elmer (Guy) and Janet Armiger in Great Falls, Mont. The family soon relocated to this area to be near family, which had homesteaded Big Bear Ridge in Kendrick. Throughout his childhood the family moved several times, including Spain, due to Guy’s Air Force Service. When Rich was 13, they moved back to Lewiston, much to his excitement.
In 1983 Rich married the Love of His Life, Best Hand and Parter-In-Everything Patricia Newman. They began their career and life in Idaho’s backcountry by purchasing an outfitting permit, where they started from Junction Pack Bridge to their first main base camp, Paradise Meadows, and the business Paradise Outfitters was born in the Clearwater National Forest. Those first years were built more on grit and determination than money or resources. All the clients that first season were good friends but through word of mouth and Rich’s savvy salesmanship, the second year they were fully booked with clients from, all over the U.S. Over time they acquired other permits, creating an exclusive outfitting area of over 365 square miles: starting at Fourth of July Creek. Together they carved out camps and trails in the Clearwater National Forest still enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts today.
Rich’s love of the outdoors was reflected in the elk, deer, moose, bear and lion hunts, or in the steelhead and fly-fishing trips he guided. He was passionate about helping first-timers experience the thrill of the hunt. He was known to be able to identify a good location just by “the smell.” His sage advice, experienced wisdom and personal touch were appreciated by clients many of whom became his closest and dearest friends through the years. He enjoyed mentoring those who shared his passion for the wilderness and developed bonds like a father to a special few. This is especially true of Jeff Klessig and Dillon McWherter, whom he considered of both as his “sons.” Rich will forever be remembered for providing great Once-in-a-lifetime experiences to countless clients, friends and family in the in the Idaho Backcountry.
In 2001 he met Dan Everson who began guiding for him, they became close friends and a partnership developed. Dan took over the business when Rich retired from Outfitting. After a year of being retired, Rich found he needed more to keep him busy than Patti’s “Honey-Do Lists” and began driving morning and afternoon bus routes for the Kamiah School. He could be counted on to ensure the kids had transportation to all their sporting events and activities. This led to him becoming the transportation manager for the Upriver Youth Leadership Program and Teen Center, where he not only provided transport home but to a variety of activities. He really enjoyed these times with the area youth, especially the campouts and fishing trips.
Through those tough early years, Rich and Patti forged an amazing life together and became soul mates. By chance they discovered the very property they had been dreaming of became available and they were able to purchase it in 1986. With more sweat and determination, they turned it into their home ranch where they raised their family and hosted friends. Many wonderful memories were created on the ranch including horseback riding, scenic drives, ice-skating, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and the most epic sledding parties ever. Rich was instrumental in most of the grandkids harvesting their first buck or turkey on the place. This fall an elk was bugled in on one of these family hunts and his unbridled, ear to ear grin was just as big as the youngsters.
Rich was known to be fiercely competitive at whatever challenge he took on. This was particularly true in card games, like cribbage, he played with friends or family and never more evident when he didn’t let some young upstart pass him on the river (at the expense of everyone’s new rods and reels bouncing off the back of his jet boat and sinking into the water). Everyone who knew him soon realized there were only two ways to do something, the Other Way and the Right Way (his way). We never thought we were going to miss his sarcasm and quick-witted quips, but we already do.
He is survived by his loving wife Patti Armiger. His siblings Maureen and Faustino Ramos, Guylene Fristensky and Sherill Armiger. His children Wendy and Larry Hendren, Jamey and Roscoe Hix, Mandi and Kyle Grinolds. His Grandchildren Riley and Neva Amoss, Dori, Kolby and Kadey Hix, and Patrick Hendren. His one great Grandson and many nieces and nephews all of which he loved unconditionally.
A celebration of Rich Armiger’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Life Center PGC 4432 Highway 12 Kamiah, Idaho.
