Roll Call Tribute

James Dalton "Dick" Richardson 

October 27, 1946 - June 11, 2025 

James Dalton Richardson, known to all as Dick, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 78. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his family and friends.

Dick is survived by his sister, Robbin Richardson; brothers Sandy Richardson and his wife Gail, and Chuck Richardson and his wife Claudia; his niece Kylie Harris and her husband Clint; nephews Chip Edwards and his wife Audrey, and Will Edwards and his wife Morgan. He is also survived by seven great-nieces and nephews, all of whom were touched by his kindness, wisdom, and humor.

Born on October 27, 1946, Dick graduated from Central High School and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. His professional journey began in San Francisco with Pacific Gas & Electric, followed by a move to Omaha where he worked with the Leo A Daly Company. He later joined the family business, the Hugo Heyn Company, where he completed his career.

Dick was a man of many qualities—kind, generous, intelligent, curious, humorous, and a little feisty. He was a careful and thoughtful listener, and his responses—often unexpected—were always sincere and peppered with his signature dry wit.

He had a deep love for the outdoors. In his later years, he embraced RV life, traveling through western Nebraska and the Dakotas before settling into a favorite spot in Yankton, South Dakota, where he had a permanent site and a boat on the lake.

At age 65, Dick fulfilled a lifelong dream to fly. He bought a kit airplane, had it assembled, and had it flown back to Omaha. After several years of training, he proudly flew solo—a moment that brought him great joy and pride.

Dick also had a lifelong passion for culture and the arts. He was a devoted patron of the symphony, art museums, and galleries—places where his curiosity and appreciation for creativity found expression. He especially loved discovering and supporting emerging artists, many of whom found their first collectors in him. His home was filled with the vibrant work of those he believed in, each piece a reflection of his eye for beauty and his encouragement of talent.

In the last decade of his life, Dick discovered a new love: warm winters. He followed his family to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he spent many months each year enjoying the sun, the sea, and time with loved ones. He also spent memorable time in Tucson, Arizona, and Maui, Hawaii.

Dick lived life with quiet courage, endless curiosity, and deep affection for the people and places he loved. His legacy lives on in the laughter, stories, artwork, and memories he leaves behind.