Richard was born June 29, 1947, the son of Donald and Carol Dwyer.
After graduating from Burnsville High School, he worked as a technician at Control Data and then briefly at General Electric until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Richard served his country with honor in the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge in 1969, Richard returned to Minnesota where he worked as a travelling field service technician for Autocon. In July of 1971, he married his first wife Karen (Groth). The couple had two children and were divorced in 1995. In 1972 he began a decades-long career in municipal water systems management, working for 25 years with the City of Burnsville (where he also served as a volunteer firefighter), then for several more years for the City of Coon Rapids.
In 1999, Richard met Julie Ellingson, of Cedar, Minnesota, and what started as a friendship over good coffee grew into a wonderful relationship built on love and faith. The two were married on July 4, 2008 in Petersberg, Alaska, and enjoyed an amazing partnership until his passing. Richard and Julie enjoyed travelling, spending time with family, and exploring their faith in God.
Richard was defined by his love of his family. A gentle and generous father, a loving husband, a doting grandfather and a dedicated son and brother – he was always involved in the lives of his family, be that coaching his children in little league, attending countless concerts and recitals of his children and grandchildren, or enjoying any opportunity to gather with friends and family. Richard always had a joke at the ready, and served as an exemplary model of hard work and dedication.
Richard is survived by his Wife, Julie, his Son, Brian (Jennifer) of Northfield; his Daughter, Maureen (Ben) of Rosemount; his Five Grandchildren, Max, Sam, Ally, Anna and Erik; his Brother, Dean of Fairmont, and an abundance of Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
~Funeral Services~
11 AM, Saturday, September 8th at
First Baptist Church
10936 Foley Boulevard NW
~Visitation~
9-11 AM before the service at church Saturday.
Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.
