William Richert

William "Bill" Eugene Richert, 76, son of Anton "Tony" and Helen Richert was born on January 24th, 1940 in his parents' home in Afton, MN. He is the third child out of five, the second son... and our dad. Dad came into this world a fighter. He wasn't breathing when the doctor delivered him, most likely due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck, along with being breech. After attempts to get him to breathe, the doctor began writing a death certificate when he heard dad gasp and take his first breath.
When dad was a young boy, his own father's health was poor so he began working to help the family. He worked on the family farm and helped his older brother, Leo, with the plumbing business. Even though dad missed a lot of high school, he graduated from Stillwater Senior High in 1958. After high school he attended Dunwoody Institute, Vo-Tech 916 and Advance School Inc. At the age of 21, he became the youngest person to receive a Journeyman's Plumbing license in the State of Minnesota, and held that license for 50 years. Dad had wanted to become a carpenter but became a plumber to help his family.
In 1960, dad met his future bride at a church outing at a roller skating rink. According to mom, they had an odd courtship. There were occasional dates but on December 2nd, 1962 dad enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Seabee. Mom would write him letters which was the foundation of their courtship. Even though the Seabees are part of the U.S. Navy, they were more like soldiers than sailors. They were on the ground ahead of the troops constructing bases, hospitals and other facilities. In the winter of 1965, dad promised mom that they would get married the next time he was on leave, so on January 8th, 1966, Bill and Phyllis (Lammers) Richert were joined in holy matrimony and they moved to live on a service base in California. At this point, dad had already gone on one tour in Vietnam and would soon be sent on a second. Dad had a few close encounters while on his tours. Bullets had grazed his helmet during nighttime firings and dad tackled a fellow soldier to keep him safe from enemy fire.
When dad was honorably discharged from the service on November 22nd, 1966, he and mom moved back to Afton, MN and lived in the 'little green house' next to the plumbing shop. Dad also went back to work for his brother. On February 24th, 1967, their first child, Raymond, was born and their family began. They were blessed with three more children. Daniel was born March 22nd, 1969, Matt was born January 21st, 1971 and Amber was born on June 17th, 1974.
In 1958, dad received an old building from his parents that had previously been an abandoned sawmill and St. Peter's Lutheran church. When mom first saw the building, she couldn't imagine it becoming their home. Dad would work at the plumbing shop during the day and then at the house in the evenings. In the fall of 1971, they moved into their new home where they raised their children. We have fond memories of gatherings with family and friends, having wienie roasts, baking apple pies from our homegrown apples, eating watermelon under the trees planted by dad and his dad, using the old Jeep to learn to drive, and numerous other memories. Dad also enjoyed helping his children and spending time with his grandchildren.
In 1976, dad began working for the State of Minnesota and was assigned to the Capitol complex until 1982 when he was laid off. For a year, he was out of work but would go on side jobs, where he would bring one of his sons to help. Even though we didn't have much, dad always made sure there was food on the table.
Most of our food would come from the garden he grew. He was known for his homemade sauerkraut, and mom's canned dill pickles and spicy green beans are family favorites. Dad loved to work in his garden, or just sit and look over his garden. He would be so happy sitting on his tractor while turning the earth with the plow. Maybe it brought him memories of working the farm with his dad whom he loved dearly. We kids remember the many weeds that were pulled.
From 1984-1998, dad began working at the Maximum Security Prison in Oak Park Heights, MN. He worked a total of 22 years for the State of Minnesota when combining his years of service at the Capitol Complex and the prison.
In 2006, dad and mom purchased land up in Verndale, MN. In the springtime, dad would be itching to go up there. It was peaceful and relaxing for him to be outside and one with nature, whether he was sitting outside in a chair, chopping down trees for firewood, or going fishing. He and mom would make multiple trips up north during the summers to their sanctuary. In the fall, he would head up again to deer hunt, sometimes with his son, Ray, and his grandson, Tony.
On December 10th, 2014, dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer. He struggled for over 1 A½ years with the cancer which was extremely painful and hard on his body. Even though his family did what we could to help, he had always been active and it was difficult for him to stand on the sidelines. Dad fought the good fight and on the morning of August 22nd, we were singing one of dad's favorite hymns, 'How Great Thou Art' when dad peacefully left this earth and entered paradise while at home surrounded by loved ones.
His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his loving wife, Phyllis; sons, Ray (Pam), Dan (Delmi), and Matt; daughter, Amber (Richard) Buresh; brothers, Andrew and Loren; sister, Grace Nelson; grandchildren; Tony and Danica; Tyler, Aaron, Alicia, Gabriella and Avery; Jessica, Bradley and Alexis; Kayla and Alex Buresh; many nephews, nieces and cousins; along with his walking and napping buddies Tourey and Mojo, his loving dogs.
Service Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at ST PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 880 Neal Avenue South, Afton. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation Monday, August 29, 2016, 5:00-8:00 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard (NW corner of Hwy 36 and Co Rd 5), Stillwater and also one hour prior to the service at the church.