Richard Fournier

Richard Louis Fournier of Fargo, ND (formerly of Cass Lake, Mn) passed away on Tuesday May 5th at home with his family. Richard was born January 25th, 1966 in Minneapolis, Mn to Louis Elwood Fournier and Gloria Jean Fournier. Richard grew up in Cass Lake, Mn for most of his childhood. His family lived in Tomah, Wisconsin for a brief time. Richard graduated from Cass Lake High School in 1984, where he picked up the nickname Skidder. He worked for Fournier Logging until he joined the Army on May 13, 1986. Richard’s military service included Ft. Benning, GA (in 11 Bravo). Then Ft. Drum, NY (10th MTN Div C Co. 2nd battalion of the 22nd). Then he reclassified in 1989 (63E Tank Mechanic- Germany 3rd Armored division HHC-467 4th Battalion- 67th Armored). Richard served in the Gulf War from December 13th, 1990 until June 6th, 1991 (The Big Red One), where he earned a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. After separating from Active Duty in 1992, he remained as a Reservist until May 1994. After his time in the service, Richard returned to Cass Lake where he worked with his Dad, Louis, at Fournier Logging, as a logger/skidder operator. He also worked as a car hauler. Then he worked for CD Haugen as a truck driver. and for Long Haul Trucking. Later in his life, he worked as a boat mechanic at Sailstar Marina in Cass Lake. In 1996, he met his wife, Robyne. They married in June of 1997. In his thirties he suffered a heart attack, which led to many years of battling heart complications and multiple surgeries. Together, he and his wife helped to raise her three daughters. They made their home in Cass Lake, until 2016, when they packed their truck and traveled throughout the United States. On their trip, they visited thirty-nine states over several months. Then, after their adventure, they settled in Fargo, ND in February 2017. In October of 2019, Richard was diagnosed with colon cancer. He fought hard and never gave up, until he lost the battle. Richard loved the outdoors, hiking, exploring new places, camping, and pine coning with his wife. He was a man of many talents, he enjoyed tinkering and building- anything from fixing engines to building model cars and semis; he did it all. He enjoyed war movies, puzzles and spending time with his loved ones and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Richard is survived by: His wife: Robyne Fournier of Fargo; Daughters: Lauren (Matthew) Voeltz of Lancaster, Mn; Kristina (Matt) Anderson of Bemidji, MN; Cori (Brandon) Bennett of Fargo, ND; and Savannah (Taylor) Swenson of St. Cloud, MN; Mother, Gloria Fournier of Cass Lake, MN; Sisters: Bonnie (Terry) Conner, Mel Fisher, Karen (Steve) Goss, Millie (Jeff) Baird; Grandchildren: Melody, Lily, Peter, Madilynn, Georgia, Justus, Rylee, and Mathilda; And many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, his father, two brothers, and his fellow soldiers. Pallbearers are Keig Coss, Todd Clausen, Dean Davis, Jerome Bramen, Terry Morris and Robert French. Honorary Pallbearers: All of his Army brothers Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. Burial will take place at the Fargo National Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Richard Fournier, for his family, may be sent to Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10th Street South in Fargo, ND. Please sign the guest book at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com