Richard Hempel

Dates

Obituary

Richard Hempel, 86, of Mitchell, SD, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Friday, December 29, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Richard Gary Hempel was born December 16th, 1937, to Albert and Rose (Fiala) Hempel in Parker, SD. After completing his high school education, he enlisted in the Wagner National Guard. He soon transferred to the United States Airforce, where he proudly maintained U2 spy planes and other military aircraft. His work as an Airforce military and later civilian mechanic took him all over the world from Alaska, Japan, and Argentina. He retired from Northwestern Public Service after 40 plus years as a relay tech, building and maintaining substations. Richard was a member of the Moose Lodge and American Legion.

Richard was united in marriage to Bernice (Ymker) on July 27th of 1969. To this union, they were blessed with two sons, Todd (Rebecca Studelska) and their children, Grace and Ella; and Tim (Nicole) and their son Nathan. Richard is remembered by his siblings, Donna Jedlicka and Dwight Hempel, and nephews, Mike and Dave Jedlicka and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernie and nephew, Kurt Jedlicka.

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