Richard "Dick" Lyn Chrisman

Richard "Dick" Chrisman was born on September 10, 1947, to Raymond "Chris" Kenneth and Amanda "Mandy" Marie (Schutte) Chrisman. He departed this life on January 11, 2022, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. Dick was the oldest of three boys. Throughout Dick's formative years, the family made their home in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Dick attended elementary and high school in Red Cloud. Dick was a member of the football team and loved American and Western History.
During Dick's senior year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 13, 1966. After graduation, Dick reported to the S.S.C. Training Center on July 12, 1966, in Great Lakes, Illinois. Dick served as a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class on a small patrol boat securing the harbors of South Vietnam. He extended his service by six months on July 11, 1970. This second tour was served aboard the USS Persistent. Dick was released from active duty and returned home on January 12, 1971. Dick received honorable discharge on March 6, 1972, after four and a half years of service. Dick received numerous awards and medals during his service. These included the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Legion of Merit, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross-Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit two years in a row, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 Gold Stars), and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Devices
When Dick returned to the states, he enrolled in Central Community College in Hastings, Nebraska and received an associate’s degree in Applied Science with a focus in Heating and Air Conditioning. In November of 1988 he earned a second degree in Refrigeration.

In 1972, Dick was asked to go on a blind double date with his high school friend Robert Minnick. This is how
he met the love of his life, Joy Erline Minnick. The two were married on November 3, 1972, at the Assembly of God Church in Riverton, Nebraska. They made their home in Red Cloud, Nebraska not far from Dick's parents. Dick was employed at the Nebraska Natural Gas Company. This union was blessed with three sons. In 1973, Dick was transferred to Franklin, Nebraska where he was the supervisor for the Franklin/Naponee area. They called Franklin home for 47 years. Dick was an active Boy Scout Leader for Troop 186, a volunteer fireman, and EMT.

He served as a member of the Franklin rural fire board, the American legion post no. 0209 Evangelical Free Church board, and the Franklin booster club.
As a young lad he had a paper route for the Lincoln Journal Star. He also worked for Harry Holdt, growing potatoes for the Lay's potato chip company. During Dick's career at the gas company, he saw the company change hands and labels many times. It started as Nebraska Natural Gas Company, then changed throughout the years to Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company, KNE, Kinder Morgan Gas Company, and Source Gas Company. Today you would recognize it as Black Hills Energy. Dick was a dedicated, loyal, and reliable service specialist for 41 ½ years. Dick retired in 2013. After retiring, Dick spent time at the local coffee shop with friends and resting on his mother-in-law's couch where she had a special jar which she kept stocked with Hershey's candy bars that she bought just for him. Dick enjoyed many family vacations, some being with his parents and extended family. Dick also enjoyed helping his son Anthony on the farm where he ran the grain cart at harvest, swathed, moved bales, and so many more jobs just to help out. He helped his son Jeff with his apartments in Beloit, Kansas, working on air-conditioning, furnaces, and hot water heaters. When Dick wasn't helping his boys, you could find him tinkering in his model train room, always improving every little detail and excited to show you what he had done. You could always rely on Dick to help family and friends. The love for his three sons was endless.
Dick is now reunited with his beloved wife Joy Chrisman, parents Ray and Mandy Chrisman, father and mother-in-law Gerald and Winifred Minnick, and brother-in-law Randy Minnick.

Those left to treasure his memory include his three sons: Anthony Lyn and wife Shannon of Riverton, two step grandsons Dillon and wife Erin Olson and Anthony Olson of North Dakota; Patrick Dean and his partner John Christopher Aragon of Oakland, California; and Jeffrey Ray of Beloit, Kansas. He is also survived by his brother KC and wife Genny of
Lexington, brother Tom and wife Ila of Harvard; brothers-in-law Robert Minnick of Inavale, Rick Minnnick of Inavale, and Ryan Minnick and Heather Cole of Red Cloud; sisters-in-law Gayla Disney of Harvard, Sheila Minnick of Hastings, and Lisa and Robert Soflin of McCook; a host of nieces and nephews and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Services were Monday 10:30 am, January 17, 2022, at the Evangelical Free Church in Franklin, Nebraska with Pastor Bill Stearns officiating.  Entombment was at Greenwood Cemetery with military honors. 

Memorials may be given to the Franklin Fire Department. 

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970
telephone 402 746 2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
 

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