Richard Burnett Fox was born on April 10, 1934 to Lawrence and Mildred (Loy) Fox at Ansley, Nebraska. His father, Lawrence, died in a tree cutting accident when he was 8 months old. Times were hard, but Richard persevered, and all is grateful for those who were there for him, especially his uncles, Clyde Loy and Ralph Fox. When asked if he ever went hungry, Dad said 'oh yes.' He tells the story of skipping the last 2 weeks of school his senior year to work, so he could buy shoes to wear to his graduation.
After graduation, Richard joined the Air Force and served in Japan during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Custer County, Nebraska to look for work and jobs were scarce. He recalls there were only two jobs listed in the Omaha World Herald classified ads. He eventually found work at Boeing in Seattle, Washington, where he was an airplane mechanic and worked on the first 707! Later he was an inspector and learned to fly.
Richard dated Ann Carstensen and when she pursued him to Seattle, he figured he better get married. (This is Dad's account and cannot be verified.) They were married in Seattle, Washington on June 23, 1957 and were married for 59 years when his wife passed. They were blessed with 6 children born over a span of 18 years.
In 1962, Rich and Ann purchased the Dairy Queen and Ann returned to Broken Bow to run the restaurant. Rich followed later that year. In 1965, the Dairy Queen was sold, and they bought a farm northwest of Berwyn, NE. Rich loved the farm where he raised cattle, quarter horses, and crops. Sale barns were a big part of his life. Buyer #11 was a fixture at the Broken Bow Sale Barn for over 50 years. Rich had an uncanny ability to accurately calculate a sale price (or anything really) in his head faster than anyone could run a calculator.
In April of 1974, a tornado hit the farm and destroyed the home. Rich leased a place a few miles away and continued to farm and ranch and train horses. Tragedy hit in 1976 when their oldest son, Brian, died from injuries sustained in a horse accident.
In 1978, Ann & Rich bought the place west Broken Bow, coninuing to farm and ranch until the last year. He was happiest on the farm and drove himself to the farm for the last time just a few days before he passed.
At supper time, Rich would quiz the children over the state capitals and presidents. He loved to tell jokes and riddles and sing the occasional folk song. A lively game of pitch, pinochle, and other card games with family and friends was a daily occurrence where all learned "one peek is worth two finesses" and Rich usually won! Grandkids were his pride and joy, and he loved going to their activities. He loved Sunday dinners with whoever was around, sitting on the deck watching the grandkids play games, offering them a dollar to run around the house 20 times.
Richard is survived by five children, nineteen grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. His children: Terrill Spencer (Gary Koyen) of Louisville, CO, Penny (Gordon) Goodman of Broken Bow, NE, Stuart (Cindy) Fox of Broken Bow, NE, Barry (Jenny) Fox of Broken Bow, NE, and Jaimee (Joel) Bailey of Ansley, NE; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Tashina (James) Golden and children Alexi, Quinn, Beau, Samantha, and Gabe; Nikkia Spencer (fiancé Jason Matulka) and children Brecken and Easton; Trey Spencer, Mitch Spencer, Jacy (Dillon) Thoman; Spencer (Chesany) Goodman and daughter Palmer; Cassidy (Justin) Miller and children Beckett, Madalynn, and Tripp; Kate Fox (fiancé Preston Decker, Emily (Jared) Kahnk, and Brian Fox; Carsten, Austin and Hadyn Fox; and Alyssa, Tycen, Luke, Kiera, Kyler and Hayes Bailey. Rich is also survived by his sisters Vivian Burns, Linda Hinkle, and Joanne (Gale) Millsap; along with many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; his son, Brian; parents, Lawrence and Mildred; brother Ival Conger; and brothers-in-law Jeff Burns and Nelson Hinkle.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Nebraska One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow, NE. The service will be live streamed at www.govierbrothers.com. Burial will follow in the Broken Bow Cemetery with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are suggested to the Custer County Foundation in car of Richard & Ann Fox Scholarship.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary.
Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com