Richard J. "Rich" Llewellyn passed away June 15, 2009.

He was born on Nov. 24, 1944, to Robert "Bert" and June Llewellyn. He was raised in the Spokane Valley where he graduated from East Valley High School in 1963 as class valedictorian. He graduated with honors from Washington State University in 1967, where he was inducted into numerous national scholastic honorary societies, including Phi Beta Kappa. In 1971, he graduated with honors from University of Montana Law School, having been awarded the Dean Leaphart Scholarship for his efforts on behalf of indigent criminal defendants. He was also inducted into the Order of the Barrister after participating on a championship moot court team.

After law school, Rich worked in the offices of governors Forrest H. Anderson and Thomas L. Judge, where he became director of the Government Operations Unit, forerunner of the modern Office of Budget and Program Planning, which he conceived. During this time, he drafted and lobbied the Montana Water Use Act and worked on other significant environmental legislation. Rich later served as Jefferson County Attorney from 1975 to 1979, and again from 1987 to 1995; in that capacity, he prosecuted a number of cases which received statewide and national attention.

In 1966, Rich married Betty Nelson of Naches, Wash. Their son, Richard, was born in 1972. Although they later divorced, Rich and Betty always remained good friends.

In 1978, Rich married the love of his life, Colleen Burke of Bozeman and Boulder. Together, they had three beautiful children, Bobby, Nan and Laura. Rich loved his family more than anything, and he was truly proud of Colleen and the kids. He especially enjoyed watching his children participate in school activities, such as band, Christmas concerts, basketball, tennis and various state basketball and tennis tournaments.

Rich loved to hunt, fish, camp and drive around in the mountains of Montana and Idaho in his old pickup truck. He fished only with fly tackle for 48 years, and he tied his own flies. He fished the Livingston spring creeks with the best flyfishers in America, starting in the 1960s with Outdoor Life fishing editor Joe Brooks, and he more than held his own. Rich loved his bird dogs, Molly Brown, Frau, Beau and Dandy and also the family dogs, Bear, Rusty, Sammy and Amelia.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved son, Bobby.

Rich is survived by Colleen of Boulder; his son and daughters and their significant others, Richard (Gina Lusk) of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Nan of Anchorage, Alaska, and Laura (Kyle Brulla) of Boulder. He is also survived by his brother (and lifelong hero), Steve; and his sister, Lauren, both of Spokane; by his twin grandsons, Hunter and Kenyon Carda of Victoria, British Columbia.

At Rich's request, a private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. K&L Mortuary of Boulder is assisting with arrangements.