Ricardo "Rick" Leader Obituary

Ricardo (Rick) Fredrick Leader, adored husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 66 in Glasgow, Montana. Born on March 14, 1959, in Glasgow to Fredrick and Vivian (LaFoy) Leader, he was raised in Nashua with three sisters. He would often reminisce about the family trips to Canada to visit many relatives. At a young age he found his passion for motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, motorcycles, cars and trucks. At the ripe young age of 6, he successfully changed the flat tire on the family car to his dad’s surprise when he came home from work. In his high school career, he played basketball and was affectionately known as ‘Fishook.’ After graduating in 1978 as a Nashua Porkie, Rick advanced his education in Laramie, Wyoming, at WyoTech, where he studied autobody/paint and upholstery.

Rick’s work life began early, delivering the ‘Grit’ in Nashua. In high school he worked for Jim Hill at the Nashua Conoco station. His parents owned the Home Café in Nashua where he helped with the family business when he wasn’t working at the gas station. After attending WyoTech, Rick married his soul mate, Doris Mildred Knight, on July 25, 1981. Rick worked at Crown Parts in Billings until the couple moved to Nashua where they raised their three sons as well as a number of dogs, including Piper, his current buddy.

In Glasgow he spent many years as a counter man selling implement, vehicle and small engine parts. He especially enjoyed selling small engine parts and repairing the small equipment. He was manager for Hines Motor Supply and Bumper to Bumper. Rick was a private man who faced health challenges during his life, leading him to choose self-employment. Rick and Doris purchased several rental properties and he also opened Rick’s Small Engine Repair. He was known to tell customers that their lawn mowers “just needed my touch!”

Rick was known for his quick wit. He was a man full of common sense. He would say: “Even if it does not make sense to you, I have my reasons for what I do.” After retirement, Rick enjoyed yard work, doing home repair projects, helping his sons with their businesses, and cruising in his numerous cars and trucks. As a longtime member of the Flatland Cruisers’ Car Club, he enjoyed attending car shows across the state.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Vivian Leader, his in-laws, Ivy and Mildred Knight, and his brothers-in-law, Hal Haefer and Edward Clark.

Rick is survived by his wife, Doris, of almost 44 years of marriage; his sons—Russell, Curtis and Nicholas; grandsons—Maverick and Branson; sisters—Juanita (Arlin) Scott, Julaine (Joe) Reynen, and Karleen (Scott) Fossum; sisters-in-law—Laura Haefer, Julie (Charles) Swanson, and Sharleen Clark; uncles—Leonard (Margaret) Leader, Donald (Barbara) Farrell, and Bob Marshall; aunts—Geri Brown and Betty LaFoy; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Montana. Family will receive friends on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bell Mortuary. Burial will take place in Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nashua Porcupine Booster Club or the Valley County Pioneer Museum in Rick’s memory.