Richard Deines Michaelis

     Richard Deines Michaelis, born on January 19, 1948, in Great Bend, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a dedicated professional engineer whose career spanned several decades and showcased his commitment to public service and civil engineering.

     Raised in a hardworking family surrounded by faith in the Lord. He was baptized on February 22, 1948, and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on May 21, 1961, at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Milberger, KS. Richard began his work life at a young age on the family farm as well as his father's excavating business, operating heavy construction equipment before he even had a driver's license. His mother was such a caregiver and consoler. She kept him in clothes, food, health, and in faith with the Lord. His early experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic that would define both his personal and professional life. He attended Sellens Creek School through the eighth grade and graduated from Russell High School in May 1966. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled at Kansas State University, where he studied Civil Engineering and graduated in December 1970.

     Following his graduation, Richard joined the Iowa State Highway Commission (ISHC) in January 1970, where he worked in the AMES Resident Construction Offices. He took a brief time out from work to go home to Russell, KS and marry the love of his life Dianna Bender on June 19, 1971. His dedication led him to become one of only 15 individuals accepted into a formal Engineer-in-Training (EIT) program within ISHC from October 1971 to April 1973. Over the years, he garnered significant experience, holding various positions including Urban Road Design and ultimately becoming the Union County Engineer in Creston, Iowa, in January 1975. By 1977, he was appointed Carroll County Engineer in Carroll, Iowa.

     In July 1985, Richard took on the role of District Planner for the Iowa Department of Transportation, and in February 1998, he was promoted to Project Development Engineer for District 3. His expertise and leadership culminated in his appointment as District Engineer for District 3 in March 2000. He made significant contributions to infrastructure development (60 miles of Highway 60 project completed at the age of 60) and other District 3 projects, until his retirement in February 2008.

     Richard was proud of his many accomplishments, including loading a track crawler on a tilt trailer at the tender age of seven and driving a jeep all over the farm, waiting patiently to reach the legal age to drive. He was honored to be among the top two percent of FFA boys in Kansas who received the State Farmer Degree and was awarded the Union Pacific Railroad scholarship during his senior year of high school. Richard earned his Professional Engineering license in Iowa in 1974, followed by a licensure in Kansas in 1977. Additionally, in 1984, he achieved his goal of becoming a licensed private pilot.

     He is remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for his character. Richard was a dedicated employee known for treating people uniformly and equitably. Outside of work, he enjoyed a variety of interests including traveling, reading, Habitat for Humanity, Sioux City Railroad Museum and playing golf with his wife, and friends during retirement. Rich started the RGA (Retired Golfers Association), which now may become Rich’s Golf Association. He cherished his collection of miniature and scale toys, particularly his John Deere toys, as well as spending winters in Arizona with friends.

     Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Dianna L. Michaelis, and a sister Naomi Dumler, many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Huldrich and Sarah Michaelis, a sister and her husband LaJune and C.W. Gustin, a brother in-law Fred Dumler, and his in-laws, Ruben and Lavina Bender.

     A visitation will be held on January 19, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM, at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. A funeral service will take place at the same location on January 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Additionally, a service will be held on January 21, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, KS.

     Richard Deines Michaelis leaves behind a legacy of service, integrity, and passion for engineering that will be remembered and cherished.

     In lieu of flowers family suggests memorial to the Sioux City Railroad Museum or Morningside Lutheran Church.