Dr. Richard Sackett Friedman

Richard (Dick) was born March 28, 1939, to Dr. Donald and Dorothy Friedman in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1957, attended Burlington Community College, the University of Dubuque, and Iowa Wesleyan College, and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1963. During his college career, he starred on the basketball court as a first-team All-Conference performer and leading scorer for his school, and he was a member of the Omega Epsilon Phi professional fraternity. Dick was passionate about sharing his knowledge of optometry. He was an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Houston School of Optometry and the Director of the Base Occupational Vision Program.

Richard married Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth Beyer on June 30, 1962, in Burlington. In 1963, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas. In 1966, they moved back to Burlington, where he joined his father’s optometry office, expanding the practice into contact lenses. While there, Dick and Maggie welcomed their first child, Sara, in 1967. Dick rejoined the Air Force in 1971, where he was initially stationed in Panama City, FL. During this stint, Dick and Maggie had their two sons, Ben (1973) and Jeff (1974). He then transferred to Rhein Main Air Force Base near Frankfurt, Germany, in 1975. While overseas, they took numerous trips across Europe and memorable visits to Egypt and Israel.

In 1979, Dick and his family were transferred to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona, before moving to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas in 1983. During his service, Dick held the position of Chief of Optometry Services and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. Dick was responsible for implementing programs that involved fitting contact lenses and was an integral part of the original testing prototypes of night vision goggles for active-duty personnel on flying status. His contributions also extended to improving the accessibility of optometry services to retirees. Dick's exceptional service culminated in his retirement in 1993 after 25 years of service.

Dick loved taking part in his children's sporting events, either coaching his son's soccer, basketball, and baseball teams or joining Maggie in the stands cheering on their kids. Dick stayed active by playing fast-pitch softball and was an accomplished bowler. He remained loyal to the Detroit Lions and regularly attended TCU basketball games. Dick also amazed his family and friends with a variety of magic tricks.

Dick was devoted in his faith and he and Maggie were active members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, served as a sacristan and usher and facilitated the “Why Catholic?” program.

In their later years, Dick and Maggie traveled extensively to places such as Costa Rica, San Salvador, Hawaii, Alaska, and on several riverboat cruises.

His greatest joy in life was just being with his family, watching them grow, celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them through life.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Maggie; by his three children, Sara Eudy, Ben (Gina) Friedman and Jeff (Holly) Friedman; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; his siblings, Dr. Larry Friedman and Jan (Jim) Sterenberg.

Funeral services will be held March 25, 2024, at 11:00 am, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 3601 Altamesa Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76133 followed by a Celebration of Life in the church hall. A military burial with honors will follow on March 26, 2024, at 10:30 am, at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 200 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.