Dick Cottle

Dick Cottle was born on April 17, 1944 to Merve William Cottle and Hazel D. Cottle of South Haven, Kansas. Dick’s life was one big adventure. He grew up on a farm in rural South Haven where he learned to fish, hunt, bale hay, care for livestock, and harvest wheat.

He met Karen and was immediately drawn to the light in her. Karen was made a part of the family when Hazel threw her a Sweet 16 party.

Dick Waring Cottle and Karen Sue Baber were married on February 17, 1962. They began their life together on the farm. Ritchie was born and a year later, Tammi was born.

After he finished school, Dick worked for Boeing as a machinist. Eventually, Dick and Karen ran one of the largest hog farms in Southeast Kansas.

In 1968, Cherie was born.

In the early 70’s Dick worked as a machinist for a year at General Electric in Arkansas City, Kansas.

He landed a great job at Martin Marietta so the family moved to Morrison, Colorado. Dick was sent to Houston to work on Skylab. He and few coworkers snuck in, tried on astronaut suits, and took pictures. They got in trouble but it was totally worth it.

The Cottle Family returned to Kansas for a short time but Dick was always ready for an adventure. The family soon moved to Gig Harbor, Washington so Dick could be a machinist at the shipyards in Bremerton. Also, Dick heard about a side job as a caretaker at a 4H Camp, near Belfair, where the family lived for over year. Dick met a coworker who was a Christian. The man explained how to be born again and Dick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on the deck of the USS Enterprise.

In mid-seventies, the family moved to Post Falls, Idaho to meet up with cousins, Kathy and Warren Bailey. Dick and Warren drove up the ALCAN looking for work on the pipeline in Alaska. God had another plan. Warren and Kathy bought some property in Alder Creek, off the Benewah, near St. Maries, Idaho. Dick, always the nomad, went up with Warren to check it out. He planned to move back to Kansas but instead, he bought his 15-acre slice of heaven on earth.

Again, the family moved, but this time, Dick wanted to put down roots. He developed plans to build a log cabin on the mountain. The family had no running water, no electricity, and no telephone. In August 1977, Crystal was born to complete the Cottle family. The Cottles finished the cabin in Spring 1978.

Dick created the Tithe Timber Company, where the family logged cedar trees. His career as a logger/lumberjack lasted through the early 80s. He also worked for a year as a machinist at Dworshak Dam in Orofino, Idaho.

In April 1983, Dick, Karen, Cherie, and Crystal headed back to Kansas. Tammi and Ritchie stayed in Idaho, where they built successful lives to this day.

He was hired at Boeing and worked his way up to being a Research and Development Engineer from 1983-2000.

In that time, Dick and Karen returned to their roots and bought a small farm in rural Douglass, Kansas. Additionally, he worked at Cessna in Research and Development from 2000-2003.

In 2003, Dick “Retired” from the aircraft industry. He continued to use his mechanic skills by rebuilding cars in his garage until his passing.

Dick’s MOST important job was that of teacher. He loved God with all of his heart. He told anyone and everyone how to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He taught the word of God for most of his Christian walk. He discipled and mentored countless people in his 40+ years as a Man of God. He trusted God to the very end, praising Him in the minutes before he passed. We have lost one of the mightiest men of God, but we know he is celebrating and not suffering.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that also love his appearing.

Dick Cottle passed on October 18th, 2021.

Dick Cottle is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Karen Cottle of the home, son, Ritchie Cottle (Danette) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Daughters: Tammi Shelden (Rick) of Post Falls, Idaho, Cherie Downing (Kent) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Crystal Alexander (Nathan) of Haysville, Kansas. He is mourned by 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. His adventurous spirit, undeniable work ethic, and love of righteousness lives on through all of us he left behind.