Richard Blauser

Passed Away on February 22, 2018

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Richard Blauser, 83, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on the morning of February 22, 2018. He is now well and whole in heaven with his Lord.

Richard was the fourth of six children born to Glenn Blauser and Genevieve Diller Blauser. He was born at home December 28, 1934 in the family farmhouse outside of Diller, NE, and lived on the farm until the family moved to Lincoln, NE, for Richard’s senior year in high school. One afternoon he gave his neighbor’s friend a ride on his motor scooter, often took the girl roller skating, and after graduating from Lincoln High School, Lincoln, NE in 1952, the couple “went steady”. After Phyllis Reinick graduated, the high school sweethearts were married on November 30, 1953. Richard worked for Western Union, then Russell Stover making candy, and while studying engineering at the University of Nebraska he served in the ROTC.

When Richard was drafted into the Army, he served as an engineer, and built bridges. He was stationed in Germany from November 1957 to May 1959. Returning to Lincoln, Richard became a postal carrier, a position he held for 31 years. Richard also had a lawn service business for nearly 30 years, mowing 20-30 lawns a week in the temperate months, and doing snow removal in the winter, all in addition to his full-time job.

While raising their two sons, Mark and Michael, the family took camping trips every summer, across 42 states and Canada, using a fold-out tent camper and a variety of motor-homes. Richard loved cars, often buying a new car every year or two. He loved Nebraska football, taking weekend jaunts to many states to attend the Cornhuskers’ football games.

After retiring from the Post Office in 1990, Richard and Phyllis became snowbirds, coming to Mesa, AZ in the winter and returning to Lincoln for the rest of the year. In 1992 Richard delivered mail in an RV park, and the couple moved to Mesa in 1993. Richard’s second postal career – in retirement communities – lasted another 22 years. Phyllis and Richard played bingo at least four times a week, usually arriving two hours early to play cards with their friends before bingo started. Where was Richard five days before his passing? Playing BINGO!

Richard LOVED his family…wife, sons, grandchildren and grand dogs. Many hours were spent playing dominos, card and board games with his grandchildren. He also loved to do “search-a-word” puzzle games; he wouldn’t circle the words, but instead would place a tick mark by the found word – so he could reuse the same puzzle! He often said that bingo and his word games helped him keep his mind active. A kind and joyous man, Richard always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes, and was always trying to make someone laugh. He loved to joke, was quick with a funny comeback, and regaled his friends and family with “growing up” tales. And he was a GREAT grandpa, loved dearly by his grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and three of his siblings: Stanley Blauser, San Diego, CA; Twila Schuller, Cedar Rapids, IA; and Joyce Collier, Lincoln, NE. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis; son Mark, his wife Michelle, granddaughters Mikayla and Monica, Mesa, AZ; son Mike, grandson Cameron, Chandler, AZ; sister Marian Brown, Morro Bay, CA; brother James Blauser, Denver, CO; sister-in-law Alma Parent, Lincoln, NE; and 10 nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018, in the Chapel, Mountain View Funeral Home, 7900 E Main St., Mesa, AZ. Please sign the online guest book at  https://mountainviewfuneralhomeandcemetery.com/obituaries/richard-blauser/ .