Richard Stanfill Blankenbaker, Sr. of Bozeman, MT, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026. Born on August 11, 1941, in Lincoln, ME, Richard was the Son of Fisher F. and Sarah S. Blankenbaker. The family moved frequently for his father’s work, and Richard attended 23 schools before settling in Arlington, Virginia for high school. He then attended the University of Virginia, graduating in 1964 with a degree in Engineering.
After a brief career as a Civil Engineer, he spent more than 45 years as a financial advisor with E. F. Hutton, Robinson Humphrey, Smith Barney, and Morgan Stanley.
Richard and his beloved wife of 51 years, Sue, spent their earlier years in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra, FL. Here they raised their blended family of five children, built lifelong friendships, and Richard established himself as a trusted advisor to generations of clients. In the late 1980s, Montana began calling. What started as family vacations eventually led to a part-time residence and later a full-time move to Bozeman in the 1990s.
Richard was an avid outdoorsman, spending countless hours fly fishing and hunting all around Montana and beyond. When he wasn’t chasing fish or birds, he loved to golf or ski. He passed his love of the outdoors down to his children who have continued this tradition and have passed it on to the next generation. Richard had a very large circle of friends and clients that he enjoyed spending time with, often inviting them out to Montana where he took great pleasure in sharing the beauty of their adopted home state. Richard and Sue traveled frequently visiting their children in California, Virginia, Florida, Utah, and New Jersey and escaped the Montana cold by getting away to Palm Desert, CA, or Ponte Vedra, FL, during the winter months.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as his faithful hunting dog, Buck. Richard is survived by his wife, Sue; children, Kelli (John), Richard (Julie), Wallace (Emma), Steve (Christene Johnson), and Hunter (Dana); nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his cousin, Mary Morris.
A Celebration of Life will follow in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating via check to the Gallatin Rest Home Auxiliary, 1221 West Durston Rd, Bozeman, MT, 59715. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
