Dr. Loren Kreck, a retired Columbia Falls dentist, passionate defender of wilderness and lifelong outdoor adventurer, died Friday of natural causes. He was 89.
He was born Aug. 29, 1920, in Hollywood, Calif., to Dr. Edwin Kreck, a denstist, and Lydia Reichardt Kreck. He had three older siblings: Cynthia, Dorothy and Edwin.
He appreciated his wonderful teachers in high school and at the University of Southern California. Walt Disney Studios offered him a job as an artist, but he decided to work for Douglas Aircraft building airplanes.
In 1944, he joined the Marines and became a pilot. He flew corsairs off the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington in the war against Japan. In later years, he enjoyed his squadron reunions.
He attended dental school after World War II.
In 1950, he married his wonderful wife, Mary Rose Fea. They moved to Columbia Falls the next year. Six years later, he moved his general dentistry practice to Kalispell and specialized in orthodontics. He and Mary adopted two sons, David and Michael. Over the years, they also hosted four foreign exchange students. He said they were all wonderful kids and the Krecks enjoyed them all.
Among his many, many friends, Loren is best known for his passion for wilderness. He was perhaps one of the most ardent, dedicated and involved conservationists in Montana history. He was instrumental in helping establish the Jewel Basin hiking area and the Great Bear Wilderness. He continued to enjoy the outdoors – hiking, skiing and floating rivers -- throughout his life. He was also a sculptor, painter and model race car maker. He was a wonderful storyteller.
Loren is survived by his sons, his sister-in-law, Bobby Kreck, and numerous nieces and nephews.