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Submitted: 9/17/23 • Approved: 9/18/23 • Last Updated: 9/21/23 • R275390-G0-S3
Section Summit
Richard W. Westhoff
April 5, 1932 - December 21, 2022
Richard William Westhoff, 90, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, with his three children by his side. Richard created a legacy in the community as a longtime business leader and resident of Sioux Falls. He contributed to the remarkable growth of his beloved city, where he met and married the love of his life, raised a family, and served and volunteered.
Born to Pauline (Bies) and William Westhoff on April 5, 1932, Richard grew up in rural Salem, SD as the second youngest of seven children. He attended then graduated from St. Mary’s of Salem school. After suffering a tragic farm accident as a young adult, Richard was forced to face a new reality. With one hand and a quick intellect, he recognized his future would be brighter with more education and office-based employment.
Richard moved to Sioux Falls with a few dollars in his pocket and a scholarship to Nettleton College where he completed a two-year business degree in a record eleven months. Showing his typical tenacity and persistence, he relentlessly pursued a starting position with Henry Scholten and Company, a leading public accounting firm at the time. After receiving daily personal inquiries for six weeks, Henry gave him a trial position as an auditor working from a card table in the hallway.
At this time in the early 1950s, Richard met a beautiful Minnesota girl who had also moved from a farm to Sioux Falls. She became the love of his life. Richard was united in marriage to Lawana Barickman on September 15, 1956 with whom he carried on a 63-year love story until her passing.
Richard was never afraid of hard work and long hours. He passed his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam in 1960 and worked his way up at Henry Scholten and Company from which he retired as managing partner. Richard was then a self-employed management consultant for several decades.
During his nearly 50 years as a business leader in the community, Richard was afforded the opportunity to witness or participate in key developments in Sioux Falls and the surrounding counties. He also worked to make South Dakota a better place to live and work through his active community and charitable service.
Richard served on several boards including South Dakota Children’s Home Foundation, Sioux Vocational School for the Handicapped (LifeScape), McKennan Hospital Advisory Board, YWCA Advisory Board, Parking Facilities Board, Washington High Task Force, McCrossan Boy’s Ranch, Downtown Rotary and more. He was a founding member of the Church of St. Mary, St. Michael’s, and St. Therese.
Richard was particularly proud of his association with the leadership and employees of First National Bank in Sioux Falls for which he was a board member from 1991 to 2022.
Even in his senior years, Richard’s encyclopedic recall of people, dates, relationships, and events was truly remarkable. His family and friends will be forever grateful for his stories, dry wit, and generous encouragement.
Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife Lawana on November 27, 2019; his parents, sisters Dolores and Rita (Goergen), and brothers Aloysius, Eugene, Wilfred, and Loren.
He is survived by his three children, Mark (Betsy) Westhoff, Chicago, IL, Douglas (Jane) Westhoff, Paradise Valley, AZ and Jane Westhoff, Winnetka, IL; along with his cherished grandchildren, James (Kelsey) Westhoff, William Westhoff, Matthew Westhoff, Laura Westhoff, Gregory Demakos, and Kit Demakos; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to recognize the special care Richard received in his later years from Sandy Hobmeier who worked tirelessly to make his life comfortable.
Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 South Main Avenue. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the Church of St. Mary. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be directed to The Banquet or the charity of your choice. www.millerfh.com
Contributed on 9/17/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275390