Richard L. Switzer

PIERCE -- Services for Richard L. Switzer, 66, of Hadar will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierce. The Rev. Keith Rezac will officiate, with burial in the Clearwater Community Cemetery. American Legion Post 267 of Clearwater will conduct military graveside rites. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. He died Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. He was born Dec. 18, 1944, at Clearwater to Lloyd and Orpha (Wyman) Switzer. He attended elementary school first in Clearwater and then in O'Neill. He graduated from O'Neill High School in 1963.\r\n\r\nHe and Janet Kocian were married on April 22, 1967, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer. Richard was employed at Safeway in Neligh and Hinky Dinky and the Warehouse Market in Norfolk. He retired in 2009 from Farner Vending after 18 years of service. Richard was a great sports enthusiast. He was a bowler on many area leagues for over 40 years. Richard was instrumental in establishing the horseshoe pits in Norfolk and Hadar. He participated in many local, state and world horseshoe tournaments. Richard founded and coached his daughters' softball team in Hadar. He enjoyed watching Husker football and his grandsons' sports. Richard was a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force from May 20, 1966, to Oct. 31, 1969. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierce, was a firefighter and town board member in Hadar and a member of the American Legion in Norfolk. Survivors include his wife, Janet, of Hadar; three daughters, Debra and husband Mark Hickman of Albion, Connie and husband Dave Meyer of Norfolk, and Vickie and husband Kraig Christiansen of Plainview; seven grandsons; brother Dal Switzer of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; sister Linda and husband Jim McCarthy of Dupuyer, Mont.; sister-in-law Dorothy Switzer of Omaha; brother-in-law Jim Kocian of Spencer; sister-in-law Bette and John Shald of Stewart; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, three brothers, two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. The organist will be Shirley Hetrick, with solos by Duane Christiansen: "Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace" and "The Lord's Prayer." Casket bearers will be Kevin Switzer, Dana Switzer, Harlan Liska, Bob Shald, Neil Shald and Cope Clark. Honorary casket bearers will be Lonnie Sandall, Gene Farr, John Baker, Dewain Paulsen, Haydn Rugg, Blake Christiansen, Josh Meyer, Garrison Rugg, Austin Christiansen, Nickolas Christiansen and Gavin Christiansen.

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Richard L. Switzer

December 18, 1944 - March 10, 2011