Richard Dee ‘Dick’ Schultz, 85, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015, at the North Platte Care Center.
Richard was born May 6, 1930, to Garland Lloyd and Anna May Criss Schultz on the family farm near Mitchell, NE where he grew up. In 1947 Dick joined the Nebraska National Guard and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1949.
On October 7, 1951, Dick was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Phyllis Arlene Selby, in Mitchell. They moved to Gering, NE where Richard worked for Dean’s Service Station until 1954 when they moved to LaGrange, WY and he went to work for his father-in-law for a short time.
Dick served in the National Guard for six years then a year later was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. He served at Fort Ord, CA and was a cook and a baker. Following his discharge in 1956 he and Phyllis moved to California and Dick began his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. They returned to Nebraska in 1957 where he continued his work with United Telephone Company in Scottsbluff until moving to Mitchell in 1964 to manage the Mitchell Exchange. The family moved back to Scottsbluff in 1990 then Dick retired in 1994. He remained a member of the Telephone Pioneer Association.
During his retirement years he and Phyllis enjoyed traveling around the United States to watch bull riding. They also liked having coffee and lunch with friends and seeing their grandchildren. In 2011 Phyllis and Dick moved to North Platte to be closer to their daughter, Lisa, and became members of the Church of Christ on Walker Road. After nearly 63 years of marriage, Phyllis passed away in 2014.
Dick will be remembered for being helpful, kind hearted and knowing the Bible. He loved to repair junk and read Westerns, and liked fishing and camping.
Dick leaves behind his daughters, Lisa (Stuart) Simpson, of North Platte and Lynne (Alan) McCright, of Canyon, TX; five grandchildren, Joslynne (Jeff) Stauss, of Lincoln, NE, Alisa (Elijah) Anderson, of Abilene, TX, Keaton McCright, of Whitedeer, TX, Taitlyn McCright, of Canyon, TX and Jordynn Simpson, of North Platte; a great-grandson, Hudson Anderson; two sisters, Carol Werger and Sandra Watson, both of Torrington, WY; and other family.
Along with his wife, Phyllis, Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Garland Schultz; two brothers, Jerry and Donald Schultz; and his in-laws, Harley and Lillian Selby.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, October 26, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. A private family inurnment with military honors will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service on Monday. Memorials are suggested to Habitat for Humanity. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.