Richard "Dick" Kittridge passed from this life on May 19, 2021 at home in Grand Island surrounded by his wife, Jane, and his five children. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 24, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church. The Rev. Donald A. Buhrman and Rev. Charles L. Torpey will concelebrate. Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, May 23, 2021, from 5 - 7 p.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic or the donor's choice. Your thoughts may be given and his video viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Dick's obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Dick was born April 22, 1935 to John P. and Alice (Stout) Kittridge at their farm in Greeley County, Nebraska, near O'Connor Catholic church. He was raised on the family farm and was educated at nearby O'Connor Catholic School and graduated high school from Greeley Sacred Heart in 1953. In 1957, Dick was united in marriage to Jane Wood also of Greeley. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1958 and a brief stint teaching and coaching in Shelby, Nebraska where their first child was born, the family eventually settled in Grand Island adding four more children. Joining Meyer's Farm Equipment in 1961, Dick was bookkeeper then managed the company for many years retiring from there in 1987. Following his retirement from Meyer's, Dick managed and maintained various family real estate endeavors including his beloved farming operations. His love of the land also shone through in his recreational and athletic pursuits such as hunting, fishing and skiing.
First and foremost, Dick was a faith-filled man whose life was one lived with the utmost integrity and one wholly concerned with family and their well-being. Dick's faith was a quiet one mostly demonstrated to those closest to him but also shown externally through his many volunteer efforts primarily centered around Catholic education.
Of the many small and large acts of service and kindness he enacted, without judgment or strings attached, Dick would brush off any thanks and tell the grateful recipient to please just pass it on and help someone else in need when the time comes. Though no saint, Dick's quick wit and playful spirit was with him always and has been passed down through the subsequent generations. Although Dick will be missed as a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, his legacy will undoubtedly live on through those whose lives he touched.
Dick is survived by wife Jane (Wood) Kittridge, son Robert Kittridge, daughters Karen Johnson, Mary Jane (Jim) Partington and Carol (Jim) Meyer all of Grand Island, and Julie (Charlie) Burt of Omaha. Surviving grandchildren are Kurt Johnson, Jake (Brooke) Johnson, Kellon Johnson, Joe (Sara) Partington and daughters Mya and Madi, John Partington, Jamie (Carter) Eberhardt and daughter Elena, Casey Wiens, Jessica Wiens, Brett Wiens, Alexandra Burt, Sam Burt and Audrey Burt, brother Gerald (Jerry) Kittridge of Omaha,
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, two infant sisters, sister Mary Alice Donovan, brother Thomas Kittridge and granddaughter Jaclyn Partington.
Visitation
St. Leo's Catholic Church
Sunday, May 23, 2021
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
2410 South Blaine
Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
Vigil Service
St. Leo's Catholic Church
Sunday, May 23, 2021
7:00 PM
2410 South Blaine
Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Leo's Catholic Church
Monday, May 24, 2021
10:30 AM
2410 South Blaine
Grand Island, Nebraska 68803