Surrounded by loved ones, Richard (Dick) Hubert Kolke passed away peacefully on August 25th in Melfort, Saskatchewan at the age of 91.

Richard was born September 18, 1934 in Oxbow, SK. He was the youngest of 12 siblings and grew up on a farm near Alameda, SK. When he graduated from high school, Richard enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and obtained his BA in 1959 and his MD in 1961. After his internship at the City Hospital in Saskatoon, he moved to Melfort to begin his medical career, which spanned over 40 years.

He served on many boards including President of the Medical Staff of the Melfort Union Hospital, Founding Member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and was on the Melfort Board of Education. Along with all the professional activities, he received many awards including the Upjohn award by the College of Physicians of Canada. Richard retired in 2002, having delivered over 3000 babies in his medical career.

Richard met his first wife, Irene Weisbeck and was married in 1958. They had two boys, Richard James (1960) and David Paul (1964.) Four years later, they adopted a baby girl, Carmen Alane (1968).

Irene passed away in 1972. Matchmaking by friends and family soon led to marriage with Lillian Egger who has two children, Scott (1959) and Lani (1960).

Richard enjoyed golfing, curling, playing bridge, fishing, barbecuing, and lived his life to the fullest. He was a warm gentle soul who, no matter when, no matter where, he always had the biggest hug waiting for you. One of his favorite passions was writing. Richard wrote different poems for every occasion, and many for Lil.

His last few years were spent at Parkland Place where he was treated with care and respect until his last day. Richard is pre-deceased by his father, Reinhaldt, mother Antonia, all his siblings, and by his son, Richard.

He leaves behind his devoted wife Lillian, sons SCOTT (Janice) Egger, DAVID, daughters LANI (Russell) Knaus, CARMEN (Keith) Christensen, grandchildren Mitchell (Sarah) Egger, Ryan (Jessie) Egger, Tamra (Gareth) Knaus, John (Candace) Knaus, Steven (Raven) Knaus, Daren Higgerty, Connor (Rhiannon) Bowie, Justin and Jadelynn Christensen, Jennifer McClelland, Lorne Holmes, Beth McClelland, and 15 great grandchildren.

Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Parkland Place, Melfort.

Arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium Ltd. (306)752-3838.

• Date : 2026-08-25
• Location : Melfort