Richard Billesbach “Dick”
Richard R Billesbach (age 80) passed away on February 19, 2025.
Dick was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on October 8, 1944, to Edson and Phyllis Billesbach. He had one older brother, Robert. Dick grew up in Bassett, NE a small town where he had many happy childhood memories. Later the family moved to North Platte, NE where he graduated from North Platte Senior High School. Dick served during the Vietnam War as a musician in the US Navy band. After his service, he went back to Lincoln, NE where he earned his master’s degree in business administration at University of Nebraska. Upon graduation, he bought a one-way ticket to Honolulu, Hawaii. There he met his soul mate and lifelong partner, “Alice” Sau-Lan Chan, and married on February 26, 1975. Shortly after their wedding, they moved back to North Platte where they were later blessed with the birth of their son, Chris. Dick helped his father run the family business, Home Furniture, until 1997. Soon after, they moved to Lincoln, NE where Dick worked for the Nebraska Department of Roads until he retired in 2012.
Short of one week, Dick and Alice were married almost 50 years. Dick was an intelligent, gentle, sensitive family man. He devoted his life with love and cared wholeheartedly for his parents, wife, son, and family throughout his lifetime. Dick was passionate about music. He played and collected various musical instruments. During his retirement, he joined the local Lincoln Ukulele group as a bass ukulele player and performed with them for ten years. Members knew him as “Bach”. Hawaii was Dick’s favorite vacation spot. He also ventured on many cruises to South America, Asia, Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and Alaska. Their last cruise together was a Christmas in the Caribbean cruise in December of 2023.
Dick is survived by his wife Alice, son Chris, sisters-in-law Mary, Martha (Dan), brothers-in-law Clifford (Marian), James (Patricia), Roger (Gonia), as well as several cousins and many nieces and nephews. Proceeded by parents Edson and Phyllis, brother Robert, brother-in-law Hong (Roseanne), and uncles and aunts.
A graveside service with military funeral honors will be held on May 9, 2025, at 11:00 am at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, 12004 S Spur 56a, Maxwell, NE 69151. A memorial lunch reception will follow at the American Legion Post #163, 2020 4th Street, North Platte, NE 69101.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Condolences for Richard Billesbach “Dick”
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing! I have special memories of Dick from him working with me, esp. his stories of Hawaii. We had many laughs with other employees over his beach towel he hung on his wall. May God give you, Alice, and Chris his peace.
Louise Bettenhausen
Dick was “Dickie” to me, I only had two cousins I knew growing up and since Dick and I were so close in age we had a very special bond. He made me laugh like no other, He had the best sense of humor in his quiet way he was hysterical , We would laugh until we cried. When they came out to California we were both in high school and I took him to a party and he had a great time, he could fit in anywhere. He seemed shy at times but could also be outgoing in his way. I always wished we could have spent more time together but we lived far away and it was difficult.
He came to stay with us with Alice one time and we played backgammon until the wee hours every night,he would not let me go to bed, that is one of my great memories. I couldn’t have loved him more, Thank you Alice for always keeping us up to date on your lives it meant a lot,
Dick will be sadly missed. He was gentle soul, a loving husband and father, quick to smile and always ready for a chuckle.
Peace & Love
Dan Couvrette
We are so sad to hear of Dick’s passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Alice, Chris and all. Dick was a real character and we are privileged to have known him. We hope that soon this sadness can turn into happy memories of a special guy.
My deepest condolences to Alice and family! I have sweet memories of Dick in Hawaii with Alice at the beach, the mountain top wedding, beer parties and more… I treasure the time he came to Toronto at Alice’s mother’s birthday parties. I shall miss him dearly! Take good care of yourself, Alice! Love, Catherine
I will always remember and love Uncle Dick for being an early adopter of technology, a musician, and teacher of card games. At our family reunions in Toronto, he showed us these crazy card games and we cousins had wild fun, playing and screaming for hours. He sat and laughed hard with us when the cards decided our fate. He was our fun Uncle and we will miss him a lot. Love to Chris and Aunt Alice.
I’m one of the three California Cousins of Dick’s. Growing up in the ’50’s, our vacation was to Nebraska to see our grandparents, Uncle Eddie, Aunt Phyllis and Bob and Dick. We always had a wonderful time- a large part because of Dick and his humor. Over the years, we were able to spend some time with Dick, Sau and Chris, but not enough. Dick will be missed but he will never be forgotten.
Bach and I were good friends in our college years at the Uni of Nebr.
We lost touch after graduation.
He was a good friend.
John
Jack and Jeanie crowley really appreciate Bach and Alice as great friends and neighbors. We will never forget their wonderful kindnesses or the lovely experiences for Jeanie in the LUGNUTS ukulele group. Jeanie wants to attend the graveside service and wants to know if there is anything to do to help out.
Our prayers are with you and the family,
Jeanie
All the children called him “Uncle Dick” when they were little. Each of your visits is a source of joy and happiness for us Canadian families. We will miss your laughter and smile. Au revoir, Uncle Dick.