Richard Spaeth

Richard (Dick) Spaeth, 72, of Tucson, AZ, passed away on August 11, 2023. Dick resided at the Tucson State Veterans Home until his death.

A military burial will take place on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Richard Vernon Spaeth was born February 13, 1951, in Langdon, ND to Vernon and Mary (Lothspeich) Spaeth. Dick went to school in Langdon thru the 8th grade and continued his education by getting his GED. He then furthered his education by getting his diploma in Diesel Mechanics.

Dick was drafted into the United States Army in April 1971, and was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ where he did his Basic Training. Dick completed his AIT Training in Fort Lewis, WA where he worked on an artillery gun line, and from there he went to Fort Carson, CO. He was then deployed to Vietnam from Sept 20, 1971, to June 18, 1972. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1973.

Dick worked for Mayo Construction that brought him to Bottineau where he met our Mom, Karen Haugo. They married on July 27, 1974. During this time, he worked at Loveland Lodge and Bottle Shop for Ruth Loveland who became a dear friend. He was later employed by Theels Inc. for a number of years which he truly enjoyed for his love for vehicles and his gift to gab: “he could have sold an igloo to an eskimo”. During this time, three beautiful children were welcomed by our Dad and Mom: Christopher, Sadie, and Anthony. This marriage later ended in 1983.

Dick moved to Dickinson and began his career at Fisher Sand & Gravel as a Heavy Equipment Operator. This is where he had met Linda Dillinger where they had resided for 21 years . This marriage later ended, and he then moved to Arizona which became his home for the past 10 years. For the past 3 years, dad‘s health was diminishing where he needed extra care and so his family moved him into the Tucson State Veterans Home.

Dick is survived by his children, Sadie (Glen) Oppen of Towner, ND and Anthony (Stacy ) Spaeth of Pelican Rapids, MN; 8 Grandchildren he loved and adored: Braelynn, Sophie, Wyatt and Luke Oppen and Colton, McKenzie, Kolby and Kaleb Spaeth; his brothers, Ronnie Spaeth (Jean) of Fargo, Tom (Janel) Spaeth of Bismarck; and his sister, Susan (Chad) Peterson of Fargo; along with numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Dick was preceded in death by his longtime companion, CindiI (his dog), his parents, and his son, Christopher, and his 2 grandchildren, Carter and Cooper Oppen, and numerous aunts and uncles.