Jul 16, 2020

Idaho fruit operation leader Richard ‘Dick’ Symms dies at age 84

Richard (Dick) Allen Symms of Caldwell, Idaho, a visionary in the agriculture business, died July 13. He was 84.

According to his obituary, Symms led Symms Fruit Ranch into the largest fruit company in Idaho and one of the top 25 fruit companies in the United States. He grew Ste Chapelle Winery into the second-largest winery in the Northwest.

The full obituary:

Born to G Darwin and Irene Knowlton Symms in Nampa Idaho. Dick attended a two room school-house in Sunny Slope, Idaho and graduated from Marsing High School in 1953. He received a football scholarship to the University of Idaho and was a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity – a family tradition. After graduating in 1957 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in history, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and took navigation training in southern Texas where he met Nancy Malone. Stationed in Prestwick, Scotland, he served on active duty in a search and rescue squadron for 2.5 years. Honorably discharged in 1961, he married Nancy Malone from Weslaco, Texas that same year.

They settled in Caldwell, Idaho and Dick worked in the family business, Symms Fruit Ranch, and Nancy managed their household with their 3 children, Mary, Dar and David. Dick was a visionary in the agriculture business. He led Symms Fruit Ranch into the largest fruit company in Idaho and one of the top 25 fruit companies in the U.S.A. He grew Ste Chapelle Winery into the 2nd largest winery in the Northwest. An avid and excellent pilot with commercial and instrument licenses, Dick flew all over the US in his Cesna visiting growers and buyers, selling fruit and wine. Dick started the company’s export business, shipping directly to over 35 countries in Europe and Asia. He traveled to over 50 countries for pleasure and business. He also co-owned Sprinkler Irrigation in Nampa.

Dick was a leader in the farming industry and served on many committees in local, regional and federal organizations. He served as President, Director or other leadership position in the Marsing Chamber of Commerce, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, Marsing Disaster Auction, Owyhee County Museum, Idaho Horticulture Society, Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association, Apple Commission, Cherry Commission, NW Horticulture Council, U.S.A. Agriculture Advisory Board, Idaho First National Bank, West One Bank, US Bank, Intermountain Community Bank, the Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery Council.

Dick had many wonderful friends. He loved taking them sturgeon fishing where the catch could be up to 10 feet long. Dick wrote a book — Symms Sunny Slope: The Life and Times of the Symms Family – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Symms Fruit Ranch. In the book, he shared his six principles for living: integrity, moral courage, good judgement, priorities, perseverance, and a sense of humor. He describes the importance of saying goodbye to friends and he was renowned for his letters where he thanked people for all they had done to make the world a better place. His book ends with 3 things one should do in life: Plant a tree, have children, and write a book. Dick touched many people’s hearts throughout his life – family, work colleagues, school friends, fellow parishioners and clients. They all benefited from his wisdom and instruction. We are all better people for his caring, devotion, and friendship.

Dick is survived by his wife Nancy Malone Symms, children Mary Symms-Pollot (Mark – Katherine, McLeod), G Dar Symms (Jodi – Richard, Eva, Thomas) and David Malone Symms (Adriana – Matthew, Sophia, Patrick), Step-grandchildren Christopher, Daniela and Samuel, sister Ginger Kleweno (Gil), brother Steve Symms (Loretta), and many cousins, nieces, nephews and fabulous friends.

Graveside service is Friday, July 17 at 11 am at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Hope House in Marsing and Deer Flat Church in Caldwell.

The service will broadcast live on Friday July 17th at 11am via Zoom Meeting. Please copy and paste or click on this link :> https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84930187732