Charles Richter

1927 - 2021

Charles Richter

Charles "Charlie" Richter, age 93, passed away Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.

Charles "Charlie" Albert Richter was born June 9, 1927 to Otto and Marie Richter. He was born and raised on a farm in Pleasant Prairie Township, east of New Rockford. Charlie attended the school in Brantford through the eighth grade. He then attended high school in New Rockford, where he was active in football and band. He graduated from New Rockford High School in the spring of 1945. Charlie enlisted in the US.. Marine Corp in 1946 and came home to help his dad farm after his discharge in 1948, starting his long farming career. He married the love of his life, Neola Georgeson, Oct. 1, 1950 at the Methodist Church in New Rockford. After they were married, they lived and farmed on the family farmstead. They were blessed with seven children. As the kids grew and were involved in more activities, they purchased a house in town, where they lived during the school year, moving out to the farm every spring. During his farming years, he drove semi for Bob Weber and also hauled haystacks for multiple local farmers. After retiring from farming in 1988, he continued his longtime love of trucking, driving his semi-truck coast to coast for 18 years. After his retirement, he continued to help and visit the boys on the farm daily. He was always checking in frequently to see what the farm happenings were. He had a deep love for agriculture and the farm he helped build.

Charlie was very civic minded and actively involved in many organizations. He served on the church board of the Methodist Church for several years and sang in the church choir. He was also active in the American Legion, the Eagles Club, Steam Threshers, Shriners, Masons, Grand Commandry, Knights of Red Cross, and the Pleasant Prairie Township. Charlie was also elected to the Garrison Diversion Conservation District Board from 1969 to 2012. A true statesman, he generously devoted himself to strengthening North Dakota's water industry and his community, earning a reputation for leadership and participation as he tirelessly promoted water projects and irrigation development in North Dakota, believing development of Garrison Diversion lands will ensure quality of life for the future generations of North Dakota. He holds the distinction as the longest serving director in the history of the GDCD. Garrison Diversion was truly near and dear to Charlie's heart. Because of his dedication to water development, his presence is engrained into North Dakota's water history. Charlie was also on the New Rockford school board for several years. He drove bus to various sporting events for a number of years as well.

Charlie is survived by his seven children, Connie Richter, West Fargo, Orlan (Peggy) Richter, Bismarck, Carter (Mary) Richter, New Rockford, Lori (Rod) Bachmeier, West Fargo, Jani (Jim) Seifert, Bismarck, Stuart (Vicky) Richter, New Rockford, and Wendi (Bruce) Dean, Jamestown; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sisters Lois Labor, Enderlin, and Ruth (Neil) Barkus, Jamestown; brother-in-law Quentin (Delores) Georgeson, New Rockford; sisters-in-law, Edith Georgeson, New Rockford and Betty Georgeson, Sheyenne, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of over 69 years, Neola Richter, his parents, sister and brother-in-law Maralyn and Bob Salting, brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Gerry Anderson, and Ward and Dorothy Anderson, and brother-in-law Norbert Laber.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Charlie's name to Prairie Home Cemetery Auxiliary, Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, First Lutheran Church, all of New Rockford or the Shriner's organization.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, followed by a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at First Lutheran Church. Private family burial will be at the Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford.