Richard Bugay

Richard 'Dick' L. Bugay

May 25, 1934 - May 15, 2023

Richard "Dick" L. Bugay, 88, of Kearney, died Monday, May 15, 2023, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Father Joe Hannappel will celebrate and burial will follow the service at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, followed by a wake service at 6 p.m. all at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation or the Peterson Senior Center Activities Fund. Please visit hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is charge of arrangements. Funeral Services will be Live Streamed on You Tube at the St. James Kearney page.

Dick was born on May 25, 1934, in Nancy County, Nebraska to Loney L. and Viola A. (Drozd) Bugay. He attended country school through the eighth grade. He later attended school in Fullerton, Nebraska, and graduated from Fullerton High School with the class of 1952. Dick then moved to Grand Island to attend the Grand Island Business School, graduating with a degree in business administration in 1954. It was in business school that he met the love of his life, Althea M. Bartlett. They were married on June 18, 1955, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. The couple moved to Kearney in January of 1956 and have resided there since. Dick worked first as a manager for Central Nebraska Co-op at the fertilizer plant in Buda and later as a crop management specialist for Farmland Industries for Farmers Cooperative Association of Ravenna, Nebraska, retiring in 1997. He was an active member of St. James Catholic Church for 64 years, Kearney Catholic School Board, the St. James Parish Council and also the church Building and Grounds Commission, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and a past member of the Kearney Elks Lodge. He was also a 59 year member in the Knights of Columbus and had achieved the level of Faithful Navigator of the fourth degree. He served as Grand Knight for the Council of 1728 in Kearney, District Deputy of the Nebraska state level and also as a state youth director. Dick enjoyed dancing, softball, fishing, gardening, camping, bowling, golfing, listening to Polka music and playing the button accordion. He especially enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. He was a volunteer for a number of years at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital and also enjoyed entertaining residents with his accordion at Prairie View Gardens, Wel Life, Country House, the Central Nebraska Veteran's Home and for family and friends.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Althea of Kearney; children: Douglas (Kathi Healey) Bugay of Omaha; Steven (Janet) Bugay; Yvonne (Chris) Overman; Timothy (Laura) Bugay; and Julie (Ken) Cepel all of Kearney; Scott and daughter Sasha Bugay of Draper, Utah; grandchildren: Darcie, Tyler, Danielle, Shannon, Amy, Brian, Christina, Brandon, Nicole and Sasha; great-grandchildren: Caleese, Kinsley, Quinn, Kannon, Mason, Corbin, Beckett, Alex, Aubrey, Kaden, Parker, Madison and Nora; several nieces, nephews other extended family and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sister- and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Frank Knopik; brother-and sister-in-law, Ronald and Jolene Bugay; parents-in-law, Ora "Buddy" and Bertha Bartlett; brother-in-law, Clifford Bartlett.