Richard O. Fischer was born in Valentine, Nebraska, on Nov. 6, 1913, and died on March 13, 2016, at his home in Colorado Springs. Dick graduated in 1937 from the University of Nebraska, where he lettered in track and football. He earned a master's degree from the University of Iowa.

Dick first taught and coached in Nebraska at Red Cloud and Neligh, where he met his future wife, June Graybiel, the school secretary.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. After the war ended, Dick and June were married on Jan. 17, 1946, in Westwood Village, California. In November of that year he returned to teach and coach at Neligh High.

In 1951, Dick gave up his high school job to join the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He taught ROTC for five years at Iowa State University, then was sent to advise the South Korean Air Force for a year. When he returned, he was assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Dick's last tour of duty was at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He left the Air Force in 1966 and continued working at the academy as a civil servant until he retired.

Dick and June loved music and dancing. They played bridge with friends and dedicated hours to their lawn and garden. Dick liked to play golf and was a fitness enthusiast. He had a passion for the Cornhuskers, Ford Mustangs and the stock market. Above all, Dick was devoted to his family.

Dick is survived by his wife, June; son Richard S. (Steve) Fischer, and daughter-in-law Nancy Fischer of Broomfield, Colo.; daughter Kathleen Rutledge and son-in-law Ted Kooser of Garland, Neb.; daughter Julene (Julie) Fischer and son-in-law Michael J. Ward of Brooklyn, N.Y.; daughter Janet (Jan) Demolli and son-in-law Duane Demolli of Colorado Springs; grandsons Daniel Fischer, Jackson Fischer-Ward, Scott and Luke Demolli; step-grandson Jeff Kooser; step great-granddaughters Margaret and Penelope Kooser; niece Marjorie Anne Dozier; nephews Bill and Dick Boyer and Bill Rose.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 10:00 AM at St. John Episcapal Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine.
Memorials may be directed to the Richard O. Fischer Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is in charge of service arrangements.