(May 12, 1934 – September 30, 2024)
Our Dad/Pops/Grandpa/Great-Grandpa went to sleep peacefully and passed away dreaming of the love of his life, Marilyn Gail.
He will be missed by his children: Rick (Melanie) LaPage, Cindy (John) Jones, Mary LaPage Leclerc; Grandchildren: Courtney, Matthew (Casey), Alyssa (Jonny), Carlee (Cody), Mark (Nicole), Dominique (Tanner) and Great-Grandchildren: Julie, Logan, Leo, Madison, Luke, Logan and Baby Bean. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Gail and son in law Garry Leclerc.
His life was full of athletic, family and professional accomplishments that influenced not only his family but educators across North America.
Dad grew up in International Falls, Minnesota. As a youth, Dad spent lots of time in the gym and on the football field as the high school quarterback. Although his love was for basketball, the scouts quickly took notice of him on the football field. He was named to the 1951 Scholastic Coach All American football team as a quarterback along with NFL Hall of Famer Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers and Earl Morrall of the Baltimore Colts. On a recruiting trip to Ole Miss, Dad took his first plane ride before deciding to accept a scholarship to the University of Minnesota. He was inducted into the International Falls Broncos Hall of Fame. His high school experience nurtured his love of sports. He was taught the value of fair play, hard work, honest competition, and teamwork.
After playing football for the University of Minnesota, Dad transferred to Bemidji State University as he got ready to do his mandated two years in the U.S army. It was during this time that he met our mom, Marilyn Gail. She loved her quarterback boyfriend and wore his letter sweater with pride. As Dad was getting ready to leave for basic training, he proposed to Mom. She took a bus from Fort Frances, Ontario to Rolo, Missouri all by herself. Dad was able to get a four-hour pass to get married that day in 1955. Both were excited to start their lives together in Colorado where Dad was stationed at Fort Carson. After the army, they settled in Bemidji, Minnesota were Dad continued his studies and went on to graduate. Mom was loving being a first-time mom to Rick. They moved to Browerville Minnesota where Dad took on the Assistant football coach position along with some teaching duties. Cindy was born there, and life moved along. As family was important, Dad took a job in Winnipeg to allow Mom to be closer to her family and accepted a job that would allow him to explore new physical education initiatives within Manitoba. Mary was born as the new adventure began.
While the family was growing, Dad was involved in the local Kiwanis, St. John’s Cathedral vestry, and the Gimli Leadership Camp. We have fond memories of rides to Dominion News after church to pick up the Minneapolis paper and popcorn from the popcorn truck, lazy days at the beach, picking blueberries, camping, fishing, attending University of Minnesota and Minnesota Vikings football games, along with baseball and hockey games, and trips back home to International Falls and Bemidji. You couldn’t take the Minnesota out of Dad. It was in his blood! Trust him to find a place to move that was just as cold! Backyard Quinzhees, Christmas tree cuttings adventures and family walks in the middle of the winter were famous as was the chocolate in Dad’s pocket. He taught us to appreciate nature and used us as guinea pigs for new physical education equipment. We always had a four square and hopscotch painted on the driveway every year until Mom decided we were too old and started to use the driveway as a big art canvas. Dad would just paint over it and let her do another design most years. He always participated in most activities with us and modelled being active even at sports that he did not excel at. In the kitchen, his donuts were our favorite but the lutefisk not so much. Trips to Bridgeman’s were a staple and boy he loved their pineapple shakes! Regardless of what was going on, we could count on Dad going for a run at the end of his day.
As we grew older and they had more time, Mom and Dad enjoyed trips to Boston, Ottawa, Hawaii, and lots of time in Minnesota. They enjoyed going to the movies, cross country skiing, beach days and wandering through the province for day trips. He supported us all in unique ways based on us as individuals and we were always grateful for the help. His grandkids were his greatest joy right up until the day he died. They could always get him to smile even on a bad day. His hugs were reciprocated, and Grandpa could do no wrong. He was their playmate and cheerleader as they navigated their worlds. His workshop was a place to hang, and he helped them make things along the way. He was there for rides, conversation and laughter.
Dad and Mom continued their love story for 64 years. They always walked holding hands and said I love you daily. Although work was important, we knew that family meant more. He was always happiest with her. We could often find them at Burger King holding court at the table with the most sun. They just enjoyed being together. They welcomed their great grandchildren with excitement and loved getting new pictures of them on their IPADs. Visits were a gift, and they treasured the time spent with them and talked about them after. Great Grandpa always had some toys close by including stacking cups. They could always make them smile.
Life was tougher with Mom not by his side. Between Covid, health issues and missing Mom, it was not his favorite time. Yet, he still found joy in the grandchildren, great grandchildren, being on his IPAD, reading the local and Minneapolis papers, watching TV, sharing stories with us and picking out presents for the great grandchildren. He would look online and through flyers to make sure he found things that they would like or that he would read about. He continued to take his daily walks and do his exercises until he was 89 ½. He would pick a person he knew from work, community or family and think of them as he walked. Then he would share those stories with us during our visits. As a lifelong Vikings fan, he smiled when they beat the Packers the day before he passed away.
Professionally, he was the physical education teacher from the States that could see the potential to make a difference in Manitoba. If you ever went to a dance or social in the East Kildonan area, you could pick out who was taught to dance by Dad. Dad moved over to Manitoba Education and began teaching and supporting physical education teachers across the province in the late 60s. He was proud that he was able to advocate and participate in gyms being built in all the schools across the province. He also visited every school division in the province most years. He was highly respected by all, and his colleagues honored him by setting up the Dick LaPage Scholarship at U of M, U of W and Brandon universities in celebration of his retirement. All 3 scholarships continue to be handed out on a yearly basis to physical education students moving into an education degree program. He cheered on the Physical Education Supervisors across the province and supported their innovations with vigor. He gave his time to PHE Canada, numerous provincial organizations including Outdoor Education and the Physical Education teachers of Manitoba. We always knew what was going on and he put us and others to work making jam pail curling rocks, stuffing conference bags and stapling workshop packages. You never could go anywhere in Manitoba or Minnesota without Dad running into someone he knew from the work he did.
Dad was a founding member of the Manitoba School Athletic Association which later became the Manitoba High School Athletic Association. He served on the Board of Directors as the Manitoba Education representative from 1967-1993 and was actively involved in numerous sub committees over the years. He worked intensively for the rights of Manitoba children to have quality, daily physical education. He was inducted into the Manitoba High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame as a builder.
At the provincial and national level, Dad’s expertise in physical education curriculum development and implementation was well known and respected. He was presented with PHE Canada’s R. Tait McKenzie Award, the Centennial award, the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medallion and was recognized by Bemidji State University as an Outstanding Alumni in their Hall of Fame. As a former All American High School athlete, Dad saw the value in high school athletics and continued to support the MHSAA after retirement as a spectator at his grandchildren’s high school basketball, volleyball and hockey games within the province.
His legacy of daily physical activity for adults and children lives on. He would love if you took the time go for a walk. In his mind, it was that easy to be active.
At Dad’s request, there will be no service. If family or friends wish to celebrate his memory, donations can be made to Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) at phecanada.ca or the Manitoba Camping Association Sunshine Fund at http://www.mbcamping.ca
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Richard’s memorial page using the comment field below.
