Richard L. Vander Heiden, 84 of Devils Lake, ND, passed away on October 13, 2024 at Altru Hospital, Devils Lake ND.*
There was a Graveside Service with Military Honors at the Devils Lake Cemetery on Monday, October 21, 2024. Military Honors were accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.
Richard L. Vander Heiden was born on March 13, 1940, at Devils Lake, ND, the son of Albert and Nellie (Shipman) Vander Heiden. He was reared and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Devils Lake Central High School. He continued his education at Lake Region Junior College.
Richard enlisted in the United States Army on June 27, 1963, and proudly and honorably served his country during the Vietnam War. On June 24 of 1966 he was discharged from active duty but continued in the United States Army Reserve and with the North Dakota Army National Guard until June of 1969. He earned the rank of SP4.
The family lived in Fargo from 1943 until 1946 when they returned to Devils Lake. Richard worked alongside his Dad at Al’s Repair for many years in Devils Lake. The family moved to Colorado for a few years and worked with Richard’s brother Ronald and his family. After Albert died, Nellie and Richard returned to North Dakota and Richard cared for his mother until her passing.
Richard was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Richard had a caring heart for his precious family and his dearest friends.
*This is a corrected version of the obituary that ran in the Tuesday, Oct. 22 Devils Lake Journal.