Richard L. Corbit, 88

Former North Dakota, California, and Idaho resident Richard Leroy Corbit, 88, passed away May 14, 2015, at his current home in Placerville, Calif.

Richard was born April 6, 1927, in Leroy, N.D., to Percy and Mayme Corbit.

Richard served in the United States Navy during World War II and was a plank owner of the U.S.S. Zellars. He spent 22 months in the South Pacific. After the war, he spent time in North Dakota and Minnesota before moving with his family to California in 1959.

Richard worked many years as an operating engineer and served as the business manager of Local 12 in Southern California during the '70s. He retired and moved to North Idaho in 1983 and was a resident and active member for many years. He was the driving force behind envisioning and pulling the community together to erect the athletic field at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho; consequently named Corbit Field.

Richard and his wife, Ella, spent many winters down south and enjoyed many wonderful summers at their home on the 18th hole at StoneRidge Golf Course.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Mayme; and his brother, Donald. Richard is survived by his wife, Ella, of 63 years; daughters Lori (Bill), Lynn, LuAnne (Dave), and Lisa; grandchildren Lauren, Cassie, Liana, Candice, and Matthew; brother James; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In the loving words of Richard's granddaughter, "The world has lost a great man; a kind hearted, honest and forgiving soul ... and heaven has gained an impeccable angel."

A private mass was celebrated with immediate family members, and a memorial service will be held in Idaho at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to: Home on the Range c/o Jolene, 16351 I-94, Sentinel Butte, N.D., 58654 or Pembilier Nursing Center c/o Diana Anderson, Walhalla, N.D., 58282 (include in memo: In Memory of Richard Corbit).