Richard George Hoyt

Richard George Hoyt, 66, of Bozeman, Montana, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 18, 2018.

Richie, as his family knew him, was born in Leonia, N.J. on October 25, 1951. He graduated from Leonia High School after which he served in the U.S. Navy. Richie spent most of his life living in in the western part of the country, especially Bozeman, Montana, where he worked as a Wrangler on backcountry horseback photography, fishing and hunting trips in Montana and Yellowstone National Park. He enjoyed the outdoor life including camping, backpacking, bike riding, and traveling to other parts of the United States and Canada. He was happiest when he was in the mountains, especially the Rockies. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Perhaps you have:

• Passed him on a Bozeman sidewalk- for, when Richard wasn’t ‘in the hills’, he walked almost daily in the town he loved nearly 40 years.

• Or danced with him at Willie’s, Stacey’s, the Eagles or anywhere with good music- for he loved a fun time and danced with wild abandon

• Or met him hiking in the Beartooth or around a campfire or in a hot spring just about anywhere in Montana- for his soul most loved being ‘in the hills’ in all seasons

• Or passed him on his bicycle or a Medicine Lake Outfitters’ horse on a backcountry trail- for other than his own two feet, those were his preferred methods of transportation and, in those fleeting moments, you couldn’t see beyond the surface.



But if you had the good fortune to actually get to know Richard, you found in him an unbridled joy of life, a true friend and a pure light that shone in his ever ready smile. He chose to not conform to others’ concepts about life, yet never expected others to adopt his. By example, he taught those who paused to notice how to embrace all that our brief time here has to offer, while being caring and respectful of others’ journeys.



Richie is survived by his sisters and brother, Patricia Daly of Hamburg, N.J., Charles Hoyt of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Maryann Behari and her husband, John of Danbury, Ct., Nancy Hoyt of Vero Beach Fla., and Barbara Hudgens and her husband Dave, of Monroe, N.Y. and 12 nieces and nephews.

Richie is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence G. Hoyt and Florence M. (Le Hecka) Hoyt; as well as his Brother-in-Law, Peter Daly.

Richard also leaves behind many good, dear friends including: Liz Wildman, Hillari Ladd, Larry and Bonnie Buckingham, Peter Brown, Bruce Callie, Ken Schulze, Tom Heintz, and Dave Ketelhohn .



“The mountains are calling… And I must go.” -- John Muir

He will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.