Richard Weller

Richard Weller


Dates

September 28, 1932 - September 5, 2022

Obituary

Richard Weller, 89, of Mitchell, SD, peacefully joined his Heavenly Father Monday, September 5, 2022, at Countryside Living in Mitchell. A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Friday, October 7, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Richard “Dick” Franklin Weller was born September 28, 1932, graduated from Mitchell High School, attended Stanford and University of Nebraska, where he joined the SAE fraternity. He earned his MBA at Wharton Business College in one year.

In 1955, Dick Weller married Beverly Beal and moved to Roswell, NM to fulfill his ROTC commitment. In 1957, they moved to Mitchell and joined The Weller Company with his father Sam F. Weller, to sell real estate and insurance. They had three children: Lucinda, Steven, and Jason. As President of Mitchell Jaycees, Dick was awarded 1962 SD Jaycee of the Year with a record completion of 52 committee projects, including refurbishing Hitchcock Park Pool and initiating the annual circus in town, later sponsored by the Shriners. He was baptized, confirmed, and later served years on the Vestry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Dick ‘s career pivoted, building the Mitchell Holiday Inn with a partner in 1969, becoming General Manager. Years later, he opened Holiday Inn Spearfish with partners after moving to Rapid City and marrying Derrolynn McCardle in 1974. They opened the Pyrenees French Restaurant, in addition to other restaurant establishments over the years. The last forty-four years he enjoyed their Hill City home, boating in Pierre, and wintering in Santa Fe.

International travel, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting duck and pheasant were good times. He cheered for the UN Cornhuskers and Minnesota Vikings football teams. An early riser, hardworking, music lover, shopping for fireworks, Big River camping, summer Nemo trips, in addition to discussions about education and responsibility, are how his children remember him.

In June, Dick Weller, sharp mind intact, returned to Mitchell, Countryside Living with excellent care from Faith Home Caregivers Cheryl, Charmaine, and Annie, Avera Hospice and Home Instead. He loved Mitchell, thus establishing the Sam F. Weller Foundation to give back to Mitchell’s community needs. Thank you to friends for prayers and visits. Especially grateful to Don and Vicki, Chris and Laura. He leaves his children, their spouses, and four grandsons in Arizona and Texas. Sam and Edna Weller, Corrine, Beverly, Steven, and Derrolynn preceded him.

Dad, we are grateful for your love and lessons. Safely home in Jesus’ presence.



Service

Date
Friday, October 7, 2022
Time
11:00 AM
Location
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
214 W 3rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Bob Berguin on December 21, 2022
What a great guy and a wonderful person! We were at the SAE house in Lincoln together and I always admired his enthusiasm and positive attitude. He was one of a kind and I sure will miss him.
Posted by Charles and Linda Oster on October 7, 2022
Sadly, we did not know Dick personally, but he was a good friend and supporter of the Mitchell Area Historical Society where we volunteer. It was good to get his advice on various topics. His friendship with our long-time leader, Lyle Swenson, was so genuine with the best interests of the Carnegie Resource Center at heart. May he rest in peace.
Posted by Rita Mutziger on September 8, 2022
Dick was my supervisor at the Holiday Inn for 20 years. I greatly respected him. I recently reconnected with him at Country Side Living. I enjoyed visiting with him very much. He was a good friend for many years and will be greatly missed. Rita Mutziger @ Country Side Living
Posted by Richard Logan Ragle on September 7, 2022
Dick Weller was my uncle. He would take his son Steve and myself fishing on Lake Mitchell and on the 'Big River.' Once while trolling on Lake Mitchell I got snagged. We were used to snags and we kids would usual clear our own snag. While I was trying to clear my snag the fishing pole broke. In my family this would have been a crisis of biblical proportions. Uncle Dick must have seen the terror on my face and he said, "Rich, it's only a fishing pole." No yelling, no shaming, and it was never thrown in my face at a later date. He was a good male role model for me when I really needed one.
I love my uncle and I hope to fish with him again!
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