Richard G Studer

Richard George Studer “Dick” was born September 23, 1934 in Omio, Kansas to Martha Elinor Patrick and Ray Anton Studer. He was preceded in death by his siblings, sister – Lucille, brothers – Bill and Carl. Dick married the love of his life, Sue, on September 2, 1956 and together they gave birth to five children: Rick, Robert (Bob), Julie, John, and Angela.

After he graduated from college he began working for Boeing in Wichita, Kansas as a cost accountant. He was on the ground floor of computing as he moved to the computer services division when it first became part of Boeing. He worked there for 38 years. During his time with Boeing, he moved his family for about one year to Palos Hills, Illinois and then on to Bellevue, Washington. He was proud of being a member of the team that worked on the Stealth Bomber project and was sent to be a witness when it was rolled out in California.

Dick and Sue enjoyed many road trips together and this love of travel took them on several adventures after retirement in 1994. To name a few….they biked down the Danube River in Austria to Vienna, another year they flew to France and biked the Loire River to explore castles, they enjoyed a trip to Israel with a group from Timberlake, and flew all the way to Australia to visit friends!

Dick had many favorites but the biggest, after his wife and kids was each one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He supported each in all phases of life and was one of their biggest cheerleaders.

The following excerpts are from a Life Story book he worked on recently:

Q: Did you have a nickname?

A: “My nickname when I was young until seventh grade was “Dickie”. I have been called Dick all my adult life. Some other handles I was given in college were Studebaker, El Studo, and Stud.”

Q: Were you baptized or dedicated as an infant? Where and by whom?

A: “I was not dedicated as a child. I was baptized when I committed my life to the Lord Jesus at age 19 in 1953 at Formoso Community Church. The Rev. Abe Ediger baptized me (I was dunked).”

Q: What was your favorite sport or outdoor activity?

A: “When I was a boy I hunted and fished a lot because that’s what my dad and brother, Carl did. Carl and I also trapped in the winter. We caught skunks, coons, and opossums. We would skin them, dry the pelts, and sell them.”

Q: Where was your childhood home located? What did you enjoy about living there?

A: “I lived on a farm west & south of Norway, Kansas. We lived there from the time I was 5 until I was ready to start high school. I had some good times living there. The Blecka boys were our neighbors and Carl & I had a lot of fun with the two brothers. Many summer nights we camped out on a sandbar on the Republican River. Our tent was put together with willow poles and a blanket. We had a fire and cooked our meals. We set lines to catch fish and we’d check the lines several times in the night…such fun!”

Q: Did you ever get into fights with other kids?

A: “I smacked Don Blecka in the nose one day. He was a lot bigger than I was. He had been picking on me and I got fed up with it and ended it! I had to explain my actions to Mom!

Q: What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

A: “Reading, listening to music, playing games with my honey!”

Q: Tell me about your wedding day? Your honeymoon?

A: “Since we were married in Garden City, Kansas; it was undoubtably windy and Brookover’s provided a fragrance that only a cattle feed yard can give! I was not nervous or scared because I felt that Sue was the right one for me to spend my life and dreams with.

For our honeymoon we left Garden City and headed to Emporia, Kansas where we intended to spend the night and part of the next day. We both had to be at work on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. By the time we reached McPherson, Kansas it was time to eat our evening meal. Being the attentive husband, I pulled up to the first and maybe only café in town. It was pretty plain! We sat in a small booth and I ordered Haddock; Sue did too! We didn’t even like fish! Oh well, we could have been distracted!”

Q: Recall for me five of the most important lessons you have learned in life?

A: “1. The Lord Jesus has invited everyone to accept His love and salvation. 2. Be honest always, mean what you say, integrity is very valuable. 3. Don’t live your life ‘on the edge’ - build in some margins, save some money for emergencies, be on time for appointments, take time often to meditate, 4. Have a sense of humor, be able to laugh at your mistakes. 5. Life is so much fore fun when you have someone to love and shar your dreams with. If you have a spouse thank God for that blessing and tell your mate how important he/she is to you. Love your children, grandchildren – family is so important.

Miscellaneous Favorites:

Sport: Football

Book: Bible

Leisure Activity: Reading

Dessert: Ice Cream

Author: God

Bible Verse: Titus 3:4-7

Vacation Spot: Oregon Coast

Sports Team: Seattle Seahawks