Richard was born March 14, 1930 in Boone, Iowa, attended the Boone schools and graduated in 1948. He worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad until entering the United States Marines in 1951, serving during the Korean Conflict. He married Ilene Norlin in 1953 and was an employee at Norwalk Ready Mix until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Ilene; two sons, Joel (Rhonda) Phipps and Mark (Debra) Phipps; and two daughters, Susan (Bill) Tell and Jennifer (Corey) Orr; four grandchildren, Dan and Adam Tell, and Mitchell and Jessica Phipps; one sister, Betty Fairchild of Jewell; and three nephews, Pat, Mike and Grant Fairchild.

Visitation with family present will be held 5 – 8 p.m., Thursday, February 8, at the Norwalk Christian Church. Memorials may be given to the Norwalk Christian Church.