Richard Guckeen, 1938-2016

Published 9:50 am Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Richard “Dick” C. Guckeen, 78, of Austin passed away Friday, March 4, 2016, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester

Richard Guckeen

surrounded by his family.

Richard Carlyle Guckeen was born Feb 12, 1938, in Austin to Lawrence and Margaret (Mayer) Guckeen. He attended school in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1955. On June 4, 1982, Dick married Julie Munson at Crane Chapel in Austin.

Dick worked for Mower County Highway Department for 33 years and Austin Cab and Ambulance for 37 years as an EMT. He volunteered for over 30 years at the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross, where — with Gerald Dimit and Norman Sollie — he started the local CPR training program. The trio received the Mower County chapter Volunteer of the Year Award in 1986. Dick received the National Merit Award, the highest honor for saving a life, from the Mower County Chapter. He also worked for a short time at the Austin Daily Herald.

Dick loved being around people, especially when it involved helping others. Model railroading was a passion of his. Since retiring he kept busy golfing, bowling at Echo Lanes and playing cards at the Mower County Senior Center. He enjoyed his morning breakfasts with the crew at McDonald’s and was a regular at Kenny’s Oak Grill. Those were times he didn’t like to miss. He truly loved volunteering at Austin Medical Center, working at the front desk, escorting patients, gathering wheelchairs, greeting and helping those entering the clinic. He greeted everyone with a smile.

Dick touched the lives of many in Austin, but always felt as if he was the one who was touched.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Julie Guckeen, of Austin; son, Jeff Guckeen, of Minneapolis; brother, Steve (Joan) Guckeen, of Champlin; mother-in-law, Shirley Munson, of Hollandale; sisters-in-law Cheryl (Rich) Howard of Hollandale and Linda (Jeff) Mullenbach of Glencoe; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Friends and family may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Mayer Funeral Home, 600 Second St. NW in Austin ,and after the service at the luncheon. The celebration of Dick’s life will be at noon Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1600 W. Oakland Ave. in Austin. The Rev. Karen Behling will officiate. Celebration arrangements are entrusted to Mayer Funeral Home. The family prefers memorials.