Richard Ernest Looney

Richard E. Looney, 87, a long-time Rupert resident, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Richard was born July 30, 1936, in Coffeyville, Kansas, the son of Ernest R. Looney and Annabelle Looney. He attended schools in McCall and Rupert, Idaho and earned a degree in forestry at the University of Idaho. He served in the Army and in the National Guard.

Richard married Myrna M. Santos on April 29, 1961, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert. He enjoying a varied career working in the outdoors as a ski patroller, smoke jumper, forester, rancher, garlic farmer, and sheepherder. He was an avid reader, gardener, sourdough baker, and storyteller. He never met a dog he didn’t like.

He is survived by his wife, Myrna, and his three daughters, Marguerite (Bruce) Garcia, Rose (Philip) Webb, and Lily (Ian) Bell, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by four siblings, Barbara (Richard) Jacobsen, Linda (Michael) Lott, Karen (John) Andrew, and Gary (Diane) Looney. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Elizabeth.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 4, 2024, at Hansen Mortuary, Rupert. Services will conclude with burial in the Paul Cemetery, Paul, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

If you wish to honor Richard, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Minidoka Animal Shelter Trust. A fund has been set up at DL Evans Bank in Rupert. The family will donate all contributions on July 30th, to celebrate what would have been dad's 88th birthday.