Ricardo Pedro (Richard)
Gabica, 95, died November 3, 2009 at his home in Nampa, Idaho.
Richard was born July 29, 1914 to Elias Gabicagoxeascoa
Echaniz and Valentina Uberuaga Azcuenaga at Reynolds, Idaho
where his father was grazing sheep in the Owyhee Mountains
near the Reynolds Creek Ranch. The story is told, that at the
birth of his son, Elias went to Silver City to celebrate for
three days. He didn't celebrate so much when his son, at a
very young age, cut the tongue off a hay wagon at the Reynolds
Creek Ranch. Richard grew up in Nampa and spent the summers
tending camp and herding his father's sheep in the Owyhee
Mountains. While still in his teens, his father sent him
alone, to accompany fat lambs by train, to Omaha, Chicago and
Kansas City markets.
He attended grade school at St Paul's Catholic School in
Nampa. From the fifth grade through high school, Richard
milked two cows every morning and night and sold the milk to
the Mercy Hospital and to the nuns at St. Paul's. He graduated
from St. Paul's and went on to Nampa Senior High School,
graduating in 1932. Richard attended Links Business College in
Boise after high school for a short time, but was sent by his
father to sheep camp, due to the depression. At the death of
his father on October 16, 1936, Richard took over the family
sheep business and bought the sheep from his mother in 1939.
On December 29, 1939 he married Benita Gaviola, daughter
of Manuel and Dolores Azpiri Gaviola at St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Richard met Benita at a dance at
Cascade where her father ran sheep, as did Richard's father.
Richard and Benita made their home in Nampa and at sheep camp
in the Owyhee Mountains. In 1945 he purchased the Reynolds
Creek Ranch from his uncle Lorenzo Uberuaga. He then sold the
sheep and bought Lorenzo's cattle. He continued in the cattle
ranching business until his retirement in 1965.
Richard was active in the cattle industry associations
serving as president of Owyhee County Cattlemen's, Board of
Director of the Idaho Cattleman's Association and was honored
with the Idaho Grassman of Year Award in 1960. He was a member
of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Broadmore Country Club.
He was a lifetime member of the Nampa Elk's Lodge #1389. He
was a member of the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Board, donating many
hours of work maintaining and renovating, as well as
fundraising for the cemetery. Richard is remembered fondly by
his daughters for the legacy of strong family values and a
strong work ethic he displayed and ingrained in us, for which
we will always be grateful.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife Benita and his
sisters; Charlotte Gibson (Frank), and Louise Storey (Don). He
is survived by his sister Alice Tipton (Dr. Willis). He has
three daughters; Inez Jaca (Elias), Marilynn Jacobson (Lyle),
and Margene Eiguren (Richard). He has nine grandchildren;
Luisa Jaca, Richard Eiguren Jr. (Marcia), Martin Jaca (Susan),
Jason Eiguren (Jane), Matt Jacobson (Teresa), Michael Eiguren
(Robbin), Jordan Jacobson, Andrea Eiguren Burch (Sean), and
Katie Jacobson. He is also survived by his niece and nephew
Lisa Corcostegui (Enrique) and Dr. Rhett Tipton (Maria). Niece
Diane Storey Richards preceded him death. Richard was
surrounded by eighteen beautiful great-grandchildren. The
family especially wants to thank his caregiver, Judy Hill, for
her very kind and compassionate care to our father.
Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen
Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00
A.M. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at the St. Paul's Catholic Church,
Nampa. Burial will follow in the Mount Calvary Cemetery,
Nampa. |