died Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Nye Legacy
Richard was born July 8, 1935 in Huron, South Dakota to Herb and Hazel (Abbott) Vitters, the oldest of nine children. After graduating from Wessington, South Dakota High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in Japan and Korea. Following his military service, he began his academic career. He attended various colleges in South Dakota, and graduated with his Doctorate ED.D in Curriculum/Instruction at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. From July 1975 to June 1979, Richard was the Superintendent-Principle at South Wilmington School District #74 in South Wilmington, Illinois. In 1978 he was the Grundy-Kendall Counties Democratic candidate for Superintendent Educational Service Region.
Richard spent time in Saudi Arabia, working for Remco Oil Company, writing manuals. He taught at Huron College in South Dakota and he taught in Tarkio, Missouri, coming to Midland Lutheran College in Fremont in 1985 where he was Education Chairman. Then an opening in the South Dakota National Science Project became available, so after 8 years at Midland, he went back to South Dakota. 3 years later, Richard returned to this area and worked at Clarkson College in Omaha at Register/Instructor. Then Wayne State College asked Richard to help supervise student teachers in this area, which he continued to do in his retirement.
Retirement had him working for the Oak Tree Hotel as a van driver, and he also delivered phone books for Yellow Book. He enjoyed the challenge and the exercise. His dream of flying was realized when he and friends bought a small airplane which he enjoyed flying to the Miller, South Dakota area in the fall to pheasant hunt with his brothers. Richard was a scholar who loved learning new things, a true life-long learner. He still had time for 15 Elder Hostel Trips.
Richard was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Cosmos Club, Midland Bridge Group and the Masons and was president of the Platte Valley Civil War Round Table and Past Commander of Welstead Camp No. 3 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
On April 10, 1976 he was married to Judy Sullivan. Richard is survived by his wife Judy and family, Gregory and Marilyn Sullivan, Spokane, WA, Anne and Ted DeBord, Fremont, NE, Kathryn and Shane Isham, Coal City, IL, Eric and Stacey Sullivan, Seguin, TX; grandchildren, Brandon (Melissa) Benson, Ashley(Ryan) Benson, Levi and Lily Isham, James DeBord, and three great grandchildren, Payton, Jake, and Sawyer, his brothers, Donald and wife Kathy, Wayne and wife Betty, Albert and wife Marilyn, David and wife Sharon, Clifford and wife Sandy, John and wife Judy, and sister Marles and Larry Wilson, sister-in-law Sylvia Lemke, adopted daughter Tammy (husband Dr. Rocky)'Vitters' Mohr and their 4 children of Huron, SD. A brother Jerry, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be 10:30 AM Monday (Febr. 12th) at First Lutheran Church, followed by Military Honors at the church. The committal will be Monday afternoon in the Omaha National Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday (Febr. 11th) from 2 to 4 PM at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont. Memorials are suggested to his church or the donor's choice.
Online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(18)
Craig / Margaret Ann Vitters
Los Angeles, CA Saturday, February 17, 2018 I am very sorry about hearing of Richard's passing.We give our sincere condolences to Judy and family.
Our prayers are with all of you.
Katherine Stobbs Splichal
CUSTER, SD Saturday, February 17, 2018 Sorry for your lossOur Deepest Sympathy
Dick and Kathy Splichal
Rosalind Scovill
, WA Thursday, February 15, 2018 My sincere condolences to Judy and all the family. May God bless you with peace and acceptance.Carol Vitters Campbell
Palm Desert, CA Saturday, February 10, 2018 I so appreciated Richard & Judy's attendance at my husband's Memorial Service in Miller, SD in 2015. Particularly, I enjoyed sitting at the dining room table most of the afternoon visiting with Richard about family and old times. I wish I could attend the Service on Monday but I will be there in spirit.My deepest sympathy to Judy and all the family.
John Bischoff
Acampo, CA Friday, February 9, 2018 I had Mr. Vitters for my chemistry teacher in high school long ago. I remember his analogies to this day. He had a way of making learning fun. If you like your teacher, you like the material they are teaching. I'm so glad he had a long and fulfilling life. Found out about this on Facebook. May peace be with his family during this difficult time. God bless you all.Sherry Vitters Brown
Saco, ME Thursday, February 8, 2018 Aunt Judy and family,Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will miss Uncle Dick very much and treasure our memories and times spent with him. Sending you and everyone love.
Sherry, Heather, Jared (Jerry's kids) and Lynn
Darwin and Jean Vitters
Orem, UT Thursday, February 8, 2018 May the good Lord send the family peace and comfort until we meet again. Wish we'd known you better. We know the time will come when we will have that chance again. So grateful that families can be together forever.Thank you for your good life.
Darwin and Jeany Vitters
Eileen Thornburg
Fremont, NE Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Judy & family,Our sincerest sympathy during this time of loss. Richard was such a wonderful man, educator and mentor. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Eileen & Bob Thornburg
Harvey Ladehoff
North Bend, NE Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Sad to learn of Richard leaving us Judy and family. Richard and I became good friends on the golf course, delivering phone booksall around the country, and other jobs in retirement. I will truly miss
a great friend. My sincere sympathy.
John & Gina (Vitters) Crow
Winterset, IA Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Our sincere condolences to Judy and to all who mourn the loss of Richard. Rest in peace.Kim and Carlos Zarraga
RSM, CA Wednesday, February 7, 2018 So sorry for your loss. I will always fondly remember our trip to Nebraska and the kindness you showed us on our visit to the homestead sites so many years ago. In our thoughts and prayers the Zarraga Family.David Probst
Fremont, NE Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Judy and family, Cheryl and I are so sorry for your lost. I worked with Richard at Tarkio, and Clarkson college. Richard was a true scholar who approach teaching as an opportunity to touch a life forever. Richard never stopped learning. Rather flying or traveling he was always honing his skills. May the perpetual light shine on him and may he rest in peace.Denise & Galen Richards
Fremont, NE Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Judy and family,We are so sorry to hear of Richard's passing. We didn't know him well, but after reading his obituary and the other tributes he sounds like he must have been an incredible man. Very educated and very well rounded. He was highly thought of around the neighborhood! Again, we're so sorry!
David "DOC" Craig
Fremont, NE Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Such a wonderful person! You will be sorely missed by so very many people! I so highly enjoyed our indepth discussions on American history and military subjects while you drove van at the Oak Tree. You have been one of the most knowledgeable & interesting people I've known. All universal knowledge is now availble to you as a citizen of Heaven! I know that you will highly enjoy knowing the mysteries of the universe!Scott and Jean Wagner
Fremont, NE Tuesday, February 6, 2018 JudyWe are so sorry for your loss. Richard was a wonderful man and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all .
Joe bahr
Rapid city, SD Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Sorry to hear about this the Dick was a good man may he rest in peace and prayers to the family.Edie Strong
Fremont, NE Monday, February 5, 2018 My sincere sympathy to Pastor Bob, Mark & all other family. Jean was a very special lady and loved & admired by many. I had planned to come to visitation later today - but this snow has changed my mind - sorry. Edie StrongGregg Kupfer
Omaha, NE Monday, February 5, 2018 Dr. Vitters was the chair of the education department during one of my stays at Midland. His wife Judy ran the bookstore. Very kind man. Good sense of humor. Too many Midland alumni leaving us. Respectfully-Gregg Kupfer