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.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 1 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Gering, NE with Father Michael McDonald officiating. Interment will be at a later date at West Lawn Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s honor be made in care of Panhandle Humane Society, in honor of his love for animals. Condolences may be sent to 2015 Country Club Road, Gering, NE 69341. Fond memories may be left at www.dugankramer.com. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel is in charge of services.
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 is survived by Sherrill (Sherry) Ann Van Kirk Blaha, children Jeff (Janie) Blaha of Rural Mitchell, NE. Connie (Doug) Rupp of Norfolk, NE, Kim (Alan) Gilliam of Madison, MS, brother Martin (Carol) Blaha of Greeley, CO, and sister-in-law Mary Cushing of Pine Bluffs, WY. Grandchildren – Tom (Braelyn) Blaha of Scottsbluff, Jacob (Shay) Blaha of Gering, David Rupp of Gering, Alexis (Sean) Ash of Rural Mitchell, Calin (Ashton) Skudlarek of Jacksonville, FL, Isabella and Anthony Gilliam of Madison, MS Great Grandchildren – Freya Blaha and Traven Jackson of Scottsbluff; Jude, Luke, and Violet Blaha of Gering, Hunter Ash of rural Mitchell; Jacob and Everett Skudlarek of Jacksonville, FL; as well as several nieces and nephews, and many special family friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John, and his best friend/brother-in-law Bill Cushing.
