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2026/02/11 - Boise, Idaho, AEB

Richard (Dick) Pedro Arte, 94, formerly of Meridian, Idaho passed away in Boise, Idaho from natural causes on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Richard was a generous, hard-working, man whose deep faith and devotion to his family defined everything he did. He had a sharp sense of humor right up to the end, that kept all around him smiling.

Richard was born in Boise, Idaho on January 3rd, 1932, to Agustin and Flora Arte, the middle child in a Basque family of three boys. The family moved to Stibnite, Idaho when he was five years old. In 1939 they moved to Mullan, Idaho where he attended the local grade school and Mullan High School. The family then returned to the Boise area in 1950, where they owned and operated a dairy farm.

Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and was trained as a Motor Vehicle Mechanic at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was deployed to Korea, as part of the Korean War effort, in April of 1953 where he served until April of 1954. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1956 and served in the Idaho Air National Guard until 1964, where he again received an Honorable Discharge. He was very proud to have served this great country.

Richard met the love of his life, Mary Shively, in the summer of 1963. They hit it off and were married in St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Mary’s hometown of Baker City, Oregon on August 22, 1964. They lived in Meridian where Richard worked on the family dairy farm and where Rick was born in 1965, and Becky was born in 1967. The family then moved to Boise for a few years. Wanting to return to their country lifestyle, they moved back to Meridian where Brent was born in 1975 and where Richard enjoyed helping his kids raise 4H and FFA lambs.

Richard worked for the Boise Cascade Corporation at the Emmett Sawmill from March of 1969 until his retirement in March of 1994, in various positions including as a sawyer, grader and in his last couple of years with the company, as a plant security watchman.   

After retirement Richard enjoyed hosting family celebrations in his backyard, working in his yard, playing with his dogs and watching BSU sports. He was a devoted life-long Catholic and a long-time parishioner at Holy Spirt/Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Meridian, where he was a member of the Holy Spirt Council of the Knights of Columbus. Richard was also a member of the Boise Basque Community and took great pride in his Basque heritage.

Richard’s twelve grandchildren meant the world to him. He and Mary spent weekends when the grandkids were younger, driving throughout the valley attending soccer, basketball, football, baseball, and volleyball games and drama and musical performances. He loved joking around with the grandkids and always had them laughing. He was the best Grandpa and they all adored him.

He is survived by son, Rick; daughter, Becky (Brian); son, Brent; grandchildren: Andrew, Landon, Taylor, Bailey, Brock, Victoria, Breanna, Mary, Brittnie, Bekka, Nicholas, and Isabella; eleven great-grandchildren, with another one due in March; brother James, and numerous nephews, niece and cousins. Richard was very loved and will be dearly missed.

Richard was preceded in death by Mary, his beloved wife of 60 years, his parents Agustin and Flora, brother Raymond, sister-in-law Marie, niece Carmen, grandparents and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

The family would like to thank Monica Heath with Grace Assisted Living for the friendship, love and care she gave to Richard during the last months of his life; Richard’s doctor, Alicia Carrasco with the Boise VA; and the numerous caregivers at Grace Assisted Living in Boise.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Richard’s name to the Boise Basque Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Southwest Idaho or a charity of your choice.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, February 23 at 7pm at Summers Funeral Home at 3629 E. Ustick Rd. in Meridian, Idaho. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Tuesday, February 24 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 7960 W. Northview Street, Boise, Idaho with burial following at Morris Hill Cemetery. A reception will be held at The Barn Event Center at Meridian Speedway, 335 S. Main Street, Meridian, ID immediately following the burial.

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Goian Bego (GB) - May Rest in Peace