Richard L Amsberry

Richard (Dick) Amsberry, 90, of Kearney, formerly of Ansley, died Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at St. Johns Center in Kearney. Services will be held at 11 am Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Ansley United Methodist Church. Dick was born on Sept 19, 1927, in Mason City, NE to LaVern and Zelma (Babcock) Amsberry.  He attended grade school in Algernon then graduating from Ansley High School in 1944. Dick faithfully served his country with the US Army during WW2 and was stationed in the Philippines. Upon returning back home to Ansley, he went to work as an electrician and for the village of Ansley where he later became the superintendent of Utilities and held this position for  50+years. He married Lucille Price in 1947 and to this union was born a son Steven and daughter Debra. In 1962, he married Charlotte (Pester-Reed).  With this union, he acquired 4 daughters, Barbara, Betty, Pam and Julie, and together they raised their 6 children. Dick was very active in his community serving on the school board, fire department, Methodist Church board, VFW, Building committee for new Ansley High School, Methodist church fellowship hall, and Ansley community building.  He was always there for the entire community fixing everything. A few of his accolades include:  The Rudy Hultgren Award for Dedicated Service comes from MEAN (Municipal Energy Agency of NE) and goes to an individual who has displayed commendable efforts in promoting the use of public power & its ideals.  The Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award comes through the APPA (American Public Power Association) and is a national award that is awarded to an individual serving a small utility of less than 2,500 meters, who has a small staff and assumes multiple roles in their community. The Bob Arraj Innovative Service Award and it is through NMPP Energy (NE Municipal Power Pool).  It recognizes an employee who has excelled in the area of service and/or used innovative technological changes in the industry.  Dick loved life to the fullest whether it was water skiing, golfing, square dancing or gun collecting. Survivors include his wife Charlotte of 56 years, daughters, Barbara (Jim) Werkmeister, Betty (Jeff) Warren, Pam Pearson, son-in-law Jeff Anderson, all of Kearney.  Grandchildren, Jamie (Megan) Bollwitt, Doug (Beth) Pearson, Steve (Steph) Case, Kelly Werkmeister, Jenny (Kolby) Lathrop, Ann (Ryan) Wymore, Kari Rodriguez, Angie Werkmeister, Chris (April) Einspahr, Drew (Ashley) Anderson, Lisa (Joel) Wheeler, Tyler (Christa) Anderson.  28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  Brother Larry (Stella) Amsberry and sister Bonnie McConnell.  Many nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends He is proceeded in death by his parents, wife Lucille, Son Steven and daughters Debra Einspahr and Julie Anderson, grand-daughter Patty Mostek, and sister Patricia McLaughlin and son-in-law Kevin Einspahr.