Richard E. Bertrand

1930 - 2025

Richard E. Bertrand

January 3, 1930 - February 28, 2025

Retired ANG Brigadier General Richard E. Bertrand (Dick) of Lincoln, passed away on February 28, 2025. He was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on January 3, 1930, to J Ernest and Ruth E. Bertrand of Oakley, Kansas; he was the oldest of five children. Dick married Elaine L. Kelling on July 28, 1951, and they raised three children, Diane, Dale, and Linda.

Dick graduated from Kansas State University in 1952 with a B.S. in Physics. He was the ROTC program's commanding officer, a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma international business honor society, and Alpha Mu Flour and Milling honorary fraternity. He was also the president of the Disciples Student Fellowship.

In 1961, Dick received an M.B.A. degree from Denver University in Business Management.

Dick began a distinguished military career in 1952. He served as a jet fighter and reconnaissance pilot with the Air Force in the Philippine Islands, Vietnam, Korea, and the United States.

Dick and Elaine moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1961, where Dick worked for Sandia National Laboratories. He flew with the New Mexico Air National Guard starting in 1967. Dick became the commander of the Nebraska Air National Guard in 1976 and through his leadership, the organization earned numerous awards. He served as chief of staff and then as assistant adjutant general for air until retiring as a brigadier general in January 1990.

Dick loved flying and soloed by age 16. He flew a Piper Cub, Luscombe, Navion, T-6, F-86, C-45, F-100, RF-4, A-7D, C-13, Mooney, Baron, and Christen Eagle. At 84, he competed in aerobatic flying in his Christen Eagle.

Dick and Elaine farmed in Kansas, receiving the outstanding farming award. He and his brother owned and managed Western Office Supply in Colby, Kansas.

Dick faithfully honored his Lord; he served as a consultant to the president of Manhattan Christian College in Kansas, and was a church member, an elder, a treasurer, sang in the choir, and was a building committee chairman.

Dick is survived by his wife, Elaine of Lincoln; daughters: Diane (Kirk) Livingston of North Platte, NE, and Linda Bond of Lincoln, NE; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Capitol City Christian Church, 7800 Holdrege St. The burial will be at 2:30 pm in Omaha National Cemetery.

Visitation from 5-7 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 'O' St.

Memorials to Manhattan Christian College or Capitol City Christian Church.

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com