Richard Allen Zitterkopf

Richard Allen Zitterkopf, 78, of Minatare, NE, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at his home under hospice care. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, May 28, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3102 Ave. D, Scottsbluff, NE, with the Pastor Ken Maldonado officiating. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.

He was born on Nov. 12, 1938, in Hasting, NE to John and Millie (Bruntz) Zitterkopf. He graduated high school in Newcastle, WY. On July 4, 1986, he married the love of his life, Deborah Burge, and they made their home in Minatare.

Richard was a proud member of the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960; he worked as a flight engineer and instructor and on both the Titan I and Titan II missile programs. From 1961 to 1970, he worked for NASA on the Saturn V Project. He also taught automotive technology in California. He operated CZAR Machine Shop with his sons for 40 years. He loved drag racing and Mopar muscle cars.

He was a member of Saint Agnes Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah (Burge) Zitterkopf of Minatare; children Mark (Sandy) Zitterkopf, Kelly Zitterkopf, Ashley (Michael) Hill, and Amy Byrd, all from Mississippi, Daniel (Laurie) Zitterkopf of Scottsbluff, Jodie (Daniel) Lebaron of Colorado Springs, and Jesse (Erin) Zitterkopf of Strasburg, CO. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy Prime of WA; brothers Bill Zitterkopf of IN, and Steven Zitterkopf of CA. He leaves behind 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Millie; siblings Doris Smith, Caroline Steffensmeier, and Vernon, Marvin, Johnny, and Jim Zitterkopf; grandparents, Peter and Mollie (Lessmann) Zitterkopf and Fred and Mary (Womvolt) Bruntz.