Obituary: Richard Bellquist

Richard Bellquist

Aurora, Colo.

Richard "Rich" Allen Bellquist passed away on July 31, 2023 in Aurora, Colo. He was laid to rest at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colo. Richard was born on September 8, 1945 and grew up on a farm on the edge of Cathay, N.D. He was the third child of Emus and Evelyn (Davis) Bellquist. Richard had three siblings, Darlene (Willyard), Dareld and younger sister Sheila (Lange). Richard graduated from Cathay in 1963 and then attended NDSCS in Wahpeton before joining the Navy. He served four years in the Navy and returned to North Dakota and worked construction for a while. Richard married Judy Ross and they moved to Aurora, Colo. in 1972. He went to work for the United States Postal Service. Richard remarried in 1981 to Barbara Reilly.

Rich worked for USPS until he retired. He had many dogs throughout his adult life, mostly rescues. When Rich had time off, and after he retired, he enjoyed traveling to a good fishing spot. After retirement, he spent a lot of time back in North Dakota during the summers visiting family, friends and helping his nephew on the farm. Rich enjoyed just sitting around playing cards, having a cookout, or just BSing with his friends or anybody who liked to talk and have a beer. Richard was always up for having a good time.

He is survived by his wife Barb; siblings Dareld and Sheila; and many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his father Emus, mother Evelyn, stepfather Selmer Veen, sister Darlene, brother-in-law George Willyard, and nephews Glen and Todd Willyard.