Richard A. West

Richard A. "Dick" West, 87, of Columbus, passed away the morning of December 27th, 2020 at the home of one of his children after a battle with cancer.

Funeral services are 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Highland Park Evangelical Free Church in Columbus, Nebraska with Military Honors by American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 AM at the church. Private interment will take place in Roselawn Cemetery. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced by those in attendance.

The funeral service will be broadcast live on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook page. To access the Facebook page, click here .

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be made to Reforged a Veteran and First Responder Knife Making Program that addresses PTSD in Veterans (reforged.org) or can be sent via PayPal at : www.paypal.com/paypalme/reforgedorg

Dick was born on July 11 ^th , 1933 in Providence Rhode Island to Marie Margaret (Corvese) and Harry Arthur West Sr. and grew up in Providence.  Dick joined the U.S. Air Force in September of 1951 and retired in September of 1971 where he was an Airplane Crew Chief and was able to travel to many different countries.  Dick loved his country and was proud of his military service which included three tours in Vietnam and he was a prisoner of war.   After honorable discharge from the Air Force Dick worked in Hawaii for Hawaiian Air Lines and for private aircraft owners flying into Hawaii.  He married Reba "Ellen" West on April 28 ^th , 1984 in Denver Colorado where he welcomed her five children into his life as his own.  Ellen and Dick lived in Florida, Washington and Alabama managing hotels prior to making their home in Columbus Nebraska.  Dick worked at Walmart, Western Inn and Suites and Sleep Inn prior to his retirement in 2018.  Dick was a member of the American Legion and a past member of the Eagles and Dick loved volunteering and called Bingo at the American Legion until recently.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years Reba Ellen West (Penington), Sons Michael T. Rayman (Pam), Paul G. Rayman (Sandy) and George K. Rayman (Rebecca) and Daughter JoEllen E. Gibbs.   A daughter Denise M. Williamson preceded Dick in death.   He has 15 living grandchildren and 1 deceased grandson. Dick has 36 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.  He is also survived by a brother Harry A. West Jr. and one sister Charlotte M. West and preceded in death by his parents and one brother Robert K. West.