Memorials › Richard Dean “Dick” Blaha
Richard Dean “Dick” Blaha
10 Oct 1940 – 23 May 2024
| Birth | 10 Oct 1940 |
| Death | 23 May 2024 |
| Cemetery | West Lawn Cemetery Gering , Scotts Bluff County , Nebraska , USA |
| Added by | Kristal K on 28 May 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/270779050 |
Bio
Richard "Dick" Dean Blaha, 83, of Gering, was called home by his savior, Jesus, on May 23rd, at Regional West Medical Center. He left this life to be with friends, family, and pets that passed before him. He was surrounded with love by his family. Dick was born October 10, 1940, in North Platte, Nebraska to parents Marion John Blaha and Doris Mildred "Greenwood" Blaha. During World War II Dick and his family moved to Denver, CO. In 1945 his family moved to Scottsbluff. Dick graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1958. He worked at his father's dealership, Whitehead Blaha GMC/Jeep. He continued his education at the Junior College before attending the University of Wyoming. During the summer of 1960 Dick met the love of his life, Sherry Ann Van Kirk, and they were married on September 2, 1961. Three children, Jeff, Connie, and Kim came from this marriage. Dick graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1962 with a Mechanical Engineering degree, and accepted a position with Stanley Aviation and Worthington Corporation in Colorado. He then accepted the position of a Project Group Manager for Honeywell Ordnance Division in Hopkins, Minnesota. In 1970 he took a position as the Department Manager of Test Engineering for Arctic Snowmobile Company in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. In 1973 he and Sherry made the decision to relocate back to Scottsbluff where he accepted a partnership in the family business, Blaha GMC/AMC/JEEP Corporation. This is where they made their home and raised their family. His love for law enforcement began in 1976 when he volunteered as a Reserve Deputy for the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office. After his father's retirement, Dick and his brother Marty took over the business in 1980. They sold the dealership in 1982. Following this he began working as a full time Deputy Sheriff. Dick started the first K9 program for the Sheriff's Office. During his years with the Sheriff's Office, he worked with two certified, multipurpose service dogs Schultz and then Ace. During this time, he also began the first use of computers by the department; creating the programs being used and teaching department personnel. He also designed computer programs for the Emergency Management Department, County Detention Center, and 911 Communications Center. He retired from the position of Chief Deputy in 1998 and began a computer software programming business "Custom Programming Unlimited." His interest in city government lead him to being elected to the Gering City Council in 1984 and served in that position for 24 years. He fully retired in 2008 and enjoyed being a member of the Rolling Oldies and the High Plains Auto Club. He also enjoyed camping with his family, creating scroll saw art, making videos of family activities, attending car shows and having morning coffee with other retired officers and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John, and his best friend/brother-in-law Bill Cushing.
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