Richard A. Rischling, of Grand Island, NE passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025 at Bickford Assisted Living surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Rev. Robin Bishir will be the celebrant. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, June 16, 2025 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family to have a commissioned band piece written in his honor. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under his obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Richard “Dick” Rischling was born March 1st, 1955, in Alma, NE to William and Maralee (Wickizer) Rischling.
He grew up surrounded by abundant family love in the form of nine sisters and two brothers along with their loving parents in Bayard, NE. He graduated from Bayard High School in 1973 and continued his education at Chadron State College where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and later earned his Master’s Degree. It was at Chadron State College where he caught the eye of his wife, Gretchen M. Todd. His humorous charm and good looks were what grabbed her attention at first, but it was ultimately his love of God that caught her heart forever. Many qualities connected the two together, but the most notable connection they shared was perhaps their faith and service to others. Dick and Gretchen married on July 29th of 1978 in Alliance, NE where they would eventually come back and make their home with their four children. He worked as a band teacher in Grant NE, Superior NE, and Ord NE before he spent 28 more years and the rest of his teaching career in Alliance until he retired in 2010.
Dick loved teaching. He believed that music had the power to make any student thrive in school and in society. The impact he made on his students will continue to live on forever. After retirement, Dick and Gretchen moved to Grand Island, NE to be close to their children and grandchildren. Dick loved his family with his whole heart. Most everything he did was in service and commitment to them and it never went unnoticed. Dick found joy in serving his family in many forms: fixing just about anything, frying chicken or making his world famous malts for his grandkids, hugging his grandchildren with his non-optional “hard” (tight squeeze) hugs, and teaching them how to paint his favorite Bob Ross paintings. He was the most amazing Husband, Father, and Grandfather to his family.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island NE.
Members of his immediate family include his wife, Gretchen Rischling of Grand Island, NE
Sons, Tony (Marla) Rischling of Grand Island, NE
Todd (Jill) Rischling of Lincoln, NE
Tim (Jenny) Rischling of Omaha, NE
Daughter, Amy (Andy) Schneider of Grand Island, NE
Grandchildren, Audra Rischling, Lucas Rischling, Hadley Rischling, Jack Rischling, Anabelle Rischling, Lily Rischling, Lucy Rischling, Violet Rischling, Hank Schneider, & Calvin Schneider
Sibings, Mary (Richard) Fulkerson of Denver, CO
Anne (Mike) Moody of Omaha, NE
Margaret (Todd) Peterson of Torrington, WY
Dave (Shawna) Rischling of Alliance, NE
Jane (Pat) Stutzman of Raleigh, NC
Cece (Mike) Higgins of Reno, NV
Chris (Randy) Dickerson of Chadron, NE
Rose (Dennis) Hengen of Hastings, NE
Jean (Brian) Gatzemeyer of Elkhart, IN
Joe (Linda) Rischling of Chadron, NE
Susan Rischling of Elkhart, IN
Dick is preceded in death by his son, Anthony “Tony” Rischling who died June 17, 2016. He is also preceded in death by his parents William and Maralee Rischling and sisters, Margaret Peterson and Mary Fulkerson, along with his infant sister, Rita Rischling.