Richard Osentowski

1947 - 2025

Richard Osentowski

September 24, 1947 - June 23, 2025

Richard Alan Osentowski, age 77 of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospital. Richard's wishes for cremation were honored. The celebration of Rich's life will be Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Father Scott Harter will celebrate. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the NU foundation – Osentowski Family Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a message or condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Rich was born September 24, 1947, in Ord, Nebraska, to Dorothy (Johnson) Osentowski and Dr. Frank J. Osentowski, DDS. Along the way he played every sport; from grade school to graduation. Rich was an All-State Class B basketball player. He won the Class B Nebraska State Golf medal his senior year. Rich was inducted into the Ord High School Hall of Fame for Golf and All-Around Athlete.

Initially, Rich was headed to the University of Nebraska to play basketball and golf for the Huskers. After a change of heart, Rich and his mother Dorothy paid a visit to football coach Al Zikmund at Kearney State College. Rich played football and baseball with honors for four years. As a quarterback, Rich helped lead the 1967 Lopers to an undefeated season. He was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.

On August 17, 1968, he married Karen Goble (Miss Kearney as he called her) from Beatrice, Nebraska. In 1969 Rich was drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins. He played his first summer in Sarasota, Fla., with Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blylevin. After a successful summer in St. Cloud, Minn., Rich hung up the spikes. Instead of pursuing baseball, he signed a teaching and coaching contract in Grand Island. He taught physical education, coached football, track and field for three years.

In June of 1973 Rich and Karen moved back to Kearney, launching his 39-year career as a State Farm Insurance Agent. Policy holders were his priority. With their loyalty and support, Rich and his staff built and maintained an award-winning agency. In 1979, Rich appeared in State Farm's "Like A Good Neighbor" campaign. The commercial featuring Rich and his policyholders, Mike and Ellen Keenan of Kearney, aired nationally on NBC, ABC and CBS.

Rich was involved in numerous organizations in the community, fulfilling leadership roles and spearheading fundraising efforts as needed. He enjoyed coaching baseball and football; embracing young players. Rich cheered for all Husker athletics, but was a dedicated, loyal and contributing Loper Alumni. When not serving his policy holders or participating in his community, Rich could be found in his satellite office hunting, fishing, or golfing.

Left to cherish his memory are wife Karen of 56 years; sons Jared (Anne) of Shakopee, Minn., Richard Ryan of Omaha, Neb., Nate (Missy) of Rose, Neb. His grandchildren, Hunter, Josephine, Jackson, Mackenzie, Emma, Ellie, Alexa and Olivia blessed his life and his heart with adoring love.

Preceding him in death are his parents; and brother, Francis Eugene Osentowski; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl

Kearney, Nebraska