Richard Smith Finlayson

Richard “Dick” Finlayson was born the youngest of six children to Birdwell and Jessie Smith Finlayson on March 25, 1934, in the old Bannock County Hospital. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1952; attended Idaho State College for one year before going to Washington State College (WSC) in Pullman. In 1957, he earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Civil Engineering and the other in Architectural Engineering. He received an ROTC commission and served in an Army Combat Engineering Battalion. After completing his military service he attended Harvard Business School, earning an MBA.

In 1956 he married Ann Van Atta from Blackfoot, Idaho, who was also a student at WSC. They raised 4 children: Christina (Emerson) Lomaquahu, Susan (Arnel) Baird, Richard (Kristin) Finlayson, and Nancy (Curtis) Chisholm. He is also fondly remembered and dearly missed by 19 grandchildren and their spouses, 27 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to count. He left us to join his parents (Bird and Jessie), his sisters (Kay, Helen, Mary Lou, and Dorothy), and his beloved brother, Bird.

Dick was an extremely hard worker. His best-known career was as a contractor and owner of Finlayson Construction and Borah Construction, but he also worked in his youth for Halliwell Drug delivering packages and as a carpenter’s apprentice. He scratched an itch when he leased and ran Caribou Ski Area for two years. After “retirement”, he was Pocatello’s first full-time Mayor (1986-1990) when Pocatello moved away from the City Manager/City Council structure. He also built homes for two children and operated a tax business. Along with Ann, they served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Detroit, Michigan. He was the epitome of a life-long learner.

As hard as he worked, Dick also loved to play. His first passion was skiing, which he began as a young man when he and his brother, Bird, competed in ski racing. He skied throughout his adult life and met his goal of 50 days the year he turned 50 years old. He thought the best part about growing older was being able to Ski For Free at Alta once he hit 80. He also loved to fly and earned his commercial license and instrument rating, having flown over 1000 hours in single and multi-engine aircraft. He devoted much of his retirement to renovating and improving his ranch in central Idaho, where he had many friends and where the family spent many hours enjoying his accomplishments, nature, and his sense of fun. Fly-fishing and water-skiing were also favorite pastimes.

The most profound gift Dick leaves us is his testimony of Jesus Christ and his love of the gospel. He taught us how to truly live the principles of love, service, acceptance of all of God’s children, and continuous improvement. He freely gave of his time, talents, wisdom, and resources to all, and he actively looked for opportunities to serve, rarely waiting to be asked. Having lost his own father when he was only 7 years old, he was particularly sensitive to children who might need a guiding hand.

The family is grateful for all who have loved and supported our father over these closing years of his life, but particularly the staff at Legacy Village of Sugar House, the aides from Canyon Home Care & Hospice, and Sally, his hospice nurse.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Sat., July 10, 2021 at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 2300 Butte Street in Pocatello, ID. The family will receive friends for a viewing prior to the services beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow services in the Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilks Funeral Home and condolences may be shared with the family online at wilksfuneralhome.com.