Richard Levengood

Rich Levengood, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025 in Moscow, Idaho. Born in Butte, Montana on June 5, 1937, his parents were Harold E and Bess Payne Levengood. Rich’s journey through life was marked by resilience, dedication, and a passion for public service.

He was raised and graduated High School (1955) in Anaconda, Montana. As a young person, he survived scarlet fever and a serious head injury sustained at age 14 when his bicycle was hit by a car. During a polio outbreak, Rich, with his mother and brother, Chris, spent the entire summer with their horses at a remote mountain cabin, where he developed a lifelong love for the outdoors.

After High School, Rich attended the University of Montana in Missoula where he received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science. In 1959, he took a summer job in Yellowstone Park, where he met a fellow employee, Jan Barnes. She was headed that fall to the University of Montana for graduate study. Both Rich and Jan took a course on International Law where they met for the second time. In 1960, he and Jan were married and began a new life together, filled with shared experiences, that spanned 65 years.

In 1964, they started a European adventure when they boarded a Dutch liner bound for England. They spent six weeks traveling around Europe, then spent the next two months in Spain. In December, they sailed for home, landing in New York two days before Christmas. They returned to Montana and in the spring of 1966, set out to find work elsewhere. In Denver, Rich was hired by the director of the nonpartisan Colorado Legislative Council, where he spent the next several years as a principal analyst. While in Denver, their son, Stephen was born, followed by the adoption of their daughter, Susan, from South Korea.

In 1974, Rich took a job as the Grand County, Colorado County Manager. In 1976, he was hired as the Breckenridge, Colorado Town Manager, where he oversaw the transformation of Main Street with new sidewalks and landscaping. He supported the implementation of the Breckenridge Land Use Guidance System, which replaced traditional zoning. His leadership was pivotal in transforming Breckenridge into the world‐class resort it is today. Rich’s commitment to public service continued as he served on the Sumit County Planning Commission. 1985, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as a Summit County Commissioner and was elected to serve a full term in 1986. As Commissioner, he took the lead on water issues, resulting in the Denver‐Summit County agreement to maintain lake levels in Dillon Reservoir. He was also committed to public transportation and was Commissioner when the voters of Summit County approved a measure to fund the Summit Stage with sales tax revenue. While serving as Commissioner, Rich was appointed by Governor Romer to chair the Advisory Committee to the State Property Tax Administrator and served in this position for several years.In Breckenridge, Rich enjoyed downhill and cross‐county skiing and exploring the area in the summer looking at wildflowers. He loved folk music and playing the guitar. He also wrote several newspaper columns commenting on government and social issues.

Leaving Breckenridge in 1996, Rich and Jan moved first to Klickitat County, WA and then to Moscow, where Rich worked as a consultant and eventually retired. He enjoyed taking classes at the University of Idaho and completed the draft of a book which is a fictionalized account of his grandfather’s role as County Assessor amidst a Socialist labor movement in Montana in the early 20th century. He was a member of the Moscow Rotary Club and sang barbershop with the Palouse Harmony Chorus.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Bess and Harold Levengood, and by his two brothers, Chris Levengood and Hal Levengood.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, son, Steve Levengood (Amy), daughter Susan Luttrell (Mike), grandson, Sam Luttrell (Amber), and two granddaughters, Lynni Levengood and Hazel Levengood. Also surviving are brothers‐in‐law, Bruce Barnes (Dianne), Rev. Charles D. Barnes (Nancy), sisters‐in‐law, Arlene Levengood and Linda B. Cromer, and a number of nieces and nephews and several cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 15, at 11AM, at the 1912 Building in Moscow. Memorial donations may be made to the Palouse Habitat for Humanity, your local food bank, or the charity of your choice. Rich’s legacy of service, love, and adventure will continue to inspire all who knew him.