Richard A. Korte

Richard Ailing Korte was born January 5, 1936, at Oakwood Stork Nest Hospital (seriously, people) in Inglewood California. He was the second of three sons born to Virginia and Herbert Korte and grew up in Los Angeles. Delivering the LA Times, beekeeping and caddying (thus his hatred of golf) were early pursuits. From his report card: "Richard reads gun and motorcycle magazines in class, instead of doing his schoolwork." This fueled his life passion of riding and racing motorcycles, most notably The Big Bear Run. He and bud Dick Knowles, on a prank, climbed the 140-foot water tower overlooking Santa Monica. Their graffiti "IKE" became a cultural icon.

When Baby Robert came along his mother took the boys to The Studios to see if Bertie could be in baby commercials. "Who are they? We don't want THAT (baby Bertie), we want them." He and Gail signed with The Screen Extras Guild. Father wisely put their earnings towards the family kitty. He also found his lifetime work during work study at Scott and Scott Printing. Upon graduation from University High School January 1954 the Scott brothers enrolled him at the lithography program at Carnegie Tech. Upon certification he then enlisted in the United States Navy.

Richard served aboard the USS Sperry during the Korean war under captain Eugene Fluckey, who had sunk more Japanese tonnage than anyone during World War ll. After honorable discharge he and Dick bought brand new Triumph motorcycles, touring Mexico and the West. Richard stayed in the Reserves and was a lifelong patriot. The VA Medical Center provided excellent health care in his later years upon his diagnosis of service-related chemical exposure. The VA Caregiver Support Group, Horizon Home Care and Hospice and Aging Strong assisted us in his final years, which allowed me to care for him at our beloved home.

He began his career with AGFA as a graphic arts salesman. He married Joyce Brannon in San Francisco, December 31, 1962. Renee, Julie and Debi completed their family with career moves to Seattle and Dallas, where he fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas chili, his signature dish.

Richard retired from Agfa and in 1979 moved to open the Boise branch of Litho Development and Research. He was an original member of the Treasure Valley Trail Machine Association, as well as Salmon River Resort Club.

We met and married in 1993. "Getting married isn't like shopping at The Bon Marché, Richard. There are no exchanges or returns on this one", Mom would say. He was a cherished member of my family to include Jana (Angelo), John (Siegi), Jim (Mary) Vickie (Jeff) and their children.

He introduced me to dirt bikes and after a rough start (disasters, actually) one of his buds mentioned use of the rear brake, something the Korte instruction manual had left out. Still, we spent many excursions following the International Six Days Enduro in Australia, Spain and elsewhere. Always taking time to explore we came upon a pod of beached seals, each the size of cars. Each had six-foot shark bites! Never did we get back into the water. His last race was the 2001 One Hundred (mile) National Qualifier Hare and Hound. Racing in the recreational class, he eased our bikes up right next to Ricky Carmichael (number one in the world).

Richard led family reunions at The Polly Bemis Ranch, with Bob (Geri) coming up from San Francisco with their children Ann Marie and Patrick. Richard's children Debi, Julie (Cruz) and children Christopher and Mercedes from Dallas. Gail joined us in his late years.

Richard fully supported my soccer, coming out in the worst of weather. We took vacation to see Mercedes play in a high school regional tournament in Denver one year. His love of the Cowboys led us to Arlington and a family reunion, and to Seattle with Vickie and Jeff. In between many trips to the Bay Area to see the Raiders and 49rs and of course family. San Antonio for 2016 New Years family reunion.

Richard's retirement gigs included 13 years at HP as a temp where he formed a monthly Poker group with MO Bari, Steve Kunkler, and others. Here he met friends for life Charlie Nations and Dick Madison. He followed Dick to Lyle Pearson, where he drove for Jag and became a customer favorite, telling them stories about their fathers, Boise Old Timers. Often, they brought him gifts as a thank you. He maintained friendships which lasted to the end-Dick Madison living with us briefly before he died, same with Brother Gail. Charlie Nations, Angelo Becerra, John Mellen lunch dates at The Stagecoach, his hangout. We joined Elks Lodge #310 and found a supportive, engaging second family of similar Veteran families.

With support from the VA, Horizon Hospice and Legacy Corps Aging Strong l, CK Kortopattis, was able to care for this kind, generous and lovable man. Donations to Aging Strong are encouraged.

Richard's rapid decline, his final words were "CK. l..." March 10th-Mario Day thanks to the United States Postal Service designating it as such, due to the date stamp. Our journey of thirty-three years began and ended on that day. CK. l.

Richard's family wanted to express their thanks and say they really appreciated the care and help of Horizon Home Health and Hospice.

Services with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2026, at Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, Boise.