Richard Edwards

Richard Clifford Edwards, called "Dick" by his family and friends, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2013, in Houston, TX.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Milbank City Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9, the V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486, and the V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter #1054. Musician and worship leader will be Aubrey Bohl. A eulogy will be given by John Cottington.

Dick was born February 12, 1935, in Lead, SD, the fifth child of Clifford and Lucille (Burbidge) Edwards. His childhood years were spent playing on the pine covered hill in the back of their home, exploring canyons and creeks, hiking and biking trails. Biking continued to be a lifetime sport, as was his love of music which was birthed at an early age. Teaching himself to play the guitar, Dick was soon teaching many guitar students.

Following graduation from Lead High School in 1952, Dick and his small band were employed for the summer at Sylvan Lake Resort Lodge in the Black Hills. Dick then enrolled in Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, studying electrical engineering. A position at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, IA followed where he excelled working on many projects, inventions, and innovations, including top military priorities. An Army service commitment interrupted his employment there when he was stationed in the San Francisco Bay area.

After being released from Army duty, Dick returned to Cedar Rapids, continuing his electrical engineering feats and obtaining his degree from the University of Iowa. Later, Dick obtained a masters degree from Iowa State. Retirement moved him to Des Moines, IA and subsequently to Sioux Falls, SD where he thoroughly enjoyed being back in his home state.
Dick was so loved by his family and friends. His caring, generous heart and listening ear touched many people's lives. Memories of singing around the guitar are cherished. Fun and laughter were part of his make up as was his wide range of reaching out interests, the most important being his love for his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Left to mourn are his sisters: Arlene Johnson, Marjory (John) Maier; nieces: Jenifer (Harold) Miller and Julie (John) Cottington; nephews: Steve Maier (Judy Ki) and Mark Maier; cousins: Gwen (Lowell) Cloninger and Larry (Chung) Gross; plus grand-nephews and nieces and many friends, including one very special worship leader, Aubrey Bohl.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother: William Edwards and Robert Edwards; brother-in-law: Carl Johnson; aunts and uncles: June (Tom) McCarthy, Jay (Eva Nell) Burbidge, and Robert (Peggy) Burbidge; cousin, Bruce Burbidge; nieces: Karen Maier and Jeri Lin Johnson, and nephew, Craig Johnson.