Obituary: Corbit, Richard L.

Age 88

Sun., May 24, 2015

In Memory of CORBIT, Richard L. (Age 88) Operating Engineer and WWII Veteran Former North Dakota, California, and Idaho resident Richard Leroy Corbit, passed away May 14, 2015, at his current home in Placerville, CA.

A private mass was celebrated with immediate family members and a Memorial service will be held in Idaho at a later date.

Richard was born April 6, 1927, in Leroy, North Dakota to Percy and Mayme Corbit.

Richard served in the United States Navy, during World War II and was a plank owner of the U.S.S.

Zellars.

He spent 22 months in the South Pacific.

After the war, he spent time in North Dakota and Minnesota before moving with his family to California in 1959.

Richard worked many years as an Operating Engineer and served as the Business Manager of Local 12 in Southern California during the 70s.

He retired and moved to Northern Idaho in 1983 and was a resident and active member for many years.

He was the driving force behind envisioning and pulling the community together to erect the athletic field at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho; consequently named Corbit Field.

He and his wife, Ella, spent many winters down south and enjoyed many wonderful summers at their home on the 18th hole at Stoneridge Golf Course.

He is survived by his wife, Ella, of 63 years; daughters Lori (Bill), Lynn, LuAnne (Dave), and Lisa; grandchildren Lauren, Cassie, Liana, Candice, and Matthew; brother James; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Mayme and his brother, Donald.

In the loving words of Richard’s granddaughter: “The world has lost a great man; a kind hearted, honest and forgiving soul…And heaven has gained an impeccable Angel.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to: Home on the Range c/o Jolene; 16351 I-94, Sentinel Butte, ND 58654 or Pembilier Nursing Center c/o Diana Anderson; Walhalla, ND 58282.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.