Richard Louis Nutzman

Dick was born in St. Paul, MN on August 20, 1941 to Martin and Sadie “Marie” (Latuff) Nutzman. He was the oldest living brother to Thomas (Phyllis), Gerald (Dianne), and James (Marybeth). He was raised on the West Side of St. Paul and attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School and Humboldt High School.

Dick died on January 6, 2023 of cardiac arrest due to many years of coronary artery disease. He was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Marie Nutzman, his brothers Martin Jr. and Thomas Nutzman, and his baby daughter, Ann. Dick is survived by the love of his life for 57 years, Jean (Miller); feline princess, Ginger; his daughters; Barbara (Brad) Gabrick, Katherine (Richard) Hughes, Deborah (David) Kurz; granddaughter, Melissa (Brett) Lincoln; grandsons; James (Sandy) Kurz, David Kurz, Jr., Thomas (Chantel) Hughes, Mark (Ashley) Kurz; four great-granddaughters; six great-grandsons; cousins, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dick proudly served as a machinist in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962 on the USS Hector (AR-7) which was a Vulcan-class repair ship that sailed the West Pacific. He received a “Good Conduct” award in 1962 before entering the Naval Reserves for two years. While in the Reserves he worked for Brown and Brown Hydroforming Fuller Machine Company and then the American Hoist and Derrick, as well as the Green Arch Tavern which was started by his grandfather, Peter Latuff and then later owned by his parents. Dick had a 24-year career in at the Naval Systems Division (Northern Ordinance) of FMC Corporation which designed and manufactured defense equipment. While at FMC, he worked many positions during his employment…machinist, working group leader, supervisor, as well as three superintendent positions before the company downsized. He was hired as Vice President of Operations at Turfco Manufacturing until retirement…which he took pride in showing family and friends the sports fields and golf courses that were maintained with the turf equipment from the company that the Kinkead family started over 100 years ago.

During his years of semi-retirement, Dick was splitting his time between Minnesota and Arizona where he and Jean built a house in Mesa with a view of the Superstition Mountains from their front patio. The “dry heat” and “low humidity” were very soothing on their joints where they could get out and do more daily activities such as walking, biking, and swimming. They enjoyed their 19+ years of retirement together going on bus trips to many places in the state as well as cruises to Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Panama with their neighbors and friends. Dick and Jean both enjoyed the “brothers’ and wives’” vacations to Washington DC, Niagara Falls, as well as an Alaskan Cruise.

Dick and Jean liked visiting and reminiscing with Humboldt High School alumni (1958-59) at their reunions when they came back to Minnesota. Dick also enjoyed seeing his former shipmates as well as meeting new ones who served before and after him at the USS Hector reunions that he and Jean were able to attend…which were held in a different state every two years.

Dick had many hobbies and was a “jack of all trades” where he enjoyed building and creating many things with wood, leather, and other mediums throughout the years. He also liked singing and playing rhythm guitar with Don G. or Dave S. (drums) and David L. (lead guitar) during the 70s. Dick and the guys formed the band “Country Trio Plus One” when he coaxed Jean (bass) out of her stage-fright to join them on weekend gigs at the Brown Derby, Blue Moon, Como Pavilion, as well as many other events such as weddings, anniversaries, and New Years Eve parties.

Dick enjoyed hunting with his father, brothers, sons-in-law, grandsons, nephew, great-nephews, and friends for many years at the cabin in northern Minnesota. He also enjoyed visiting and fishing with Bemidji relatives throughout the years…especially in the 80s-90s, when the Nutzman brothers and their families vacationed at Wilson’s Resort on Whitefish Lake in which his cousins owned.

Dick was a member of Bald Eagle Sportsmen’s Association in Hugo, MN for many years and kept his membership while living in Arizona. He had a patriotic soul and was a proud member of the American Legion Riders Motorcycle Club in Apache Junction, AZ, where he appreciated being a part of an organization that helped all military service men and women (retired and active), as well as their families during difficult times because he believed in “giving back” and “paying forward” whenever he could.

Dick was a wonderful man who will always be LOVED and MISSED by family and many friends because of his friendly personality, gift of conversation, contagious laughter, and most of all…his loving, kind, and generous heart. We were all very BLESSED that he was a very big part of our lives.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Nutzman family.