James Richter

1935 - 2025

James Richter

August 19, 1935 - December 10, 2025

James D. Richter, known affectionately as Jim to all who cherished him, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, while taking a nap. Born on August 19, 1935, in Nebraska, Jim's life was a testament to ingenuity, exploration, and unwavering commitment to those he held dear.

On December 27, 1953, Jim married his lifelong partner, Jean J. Stribling, beginning a union that spanned decades of shared adventures and quiet strength.

A proud alumnus of the University of Missouri, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1957 and built a distinguished career as a Professional Engineer and licensed land surveyor. His service to country began in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1954 to 1962, where, as a Petty Officer Second Class with Seabee engineering units, he contributed to infrastructure readiness during Cold War drills, including flood response simulations that honed his skills in resilient builds.

Early in his professional journey, Jim and Jean ventured across Kansas, where he surveyed highways for the state commission; California, amid the post-war development boom; Missouri's heartland; and Pennsylvania's rolling hills, where he platted suburban expansions. Anchoring in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the early 1970s, he served as Director of Community Development from 1972, leading urban renewal efforts like the Midtown Plaza redevelopment and I-80 corridor zoning-initiatives that saved taxpayers millions and shaped thriving neighborhoods with his precise vision.

Jim advanced to Upland Industries Corporation, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, from 1975 to 1985, rising to Vice President of Real Estate Development and Planning, where he stewarded 1.2 million acres of land and 7 million acres of mineral rights. There, he balanced industrial growth with sustainable practices, navigating environmental permitting and ag leases that ensured long-term viability amid evolving regulations.

After 1985, Jim's entrepreneurial spirit flourished. As a consultant through his own Richter Consulting Ltd., he acquired and secured permitting for the innovative Bunge Soybean Plant facility near Glenwood, Iowa, a $5M endeavor advancing alternative fuels, and contributed to several sustainable agricultural projects, embodying his blend of practical engineering and forward-thinking stewardship.

Through it all, he and Jean nurtured life on their cherished acreage in Mills County, Iowa, where mowing bordered obsession. Here Jim rendered magic, transforming rusty relics into National winning show cars. The restorations provided endless puzzles to be solved, hands-on satisfaction of progress, and companionship with others of shared passion.

A founding member of the Cornhusker Studebaker Drivers Club, he served in every leadership role, organizing national meets and becoming the go-to troubleshooter for all things Studebaker, a pillar of community and shared enthusiasm. A lifelong learner, Jim's quest for knowledge took him across continents and cultures, curating a profound family history, teaching English as a second language at the local community college, studying geology in Australia, and embarking on voyages to Alaska via cruises, the Greek Isles, Spain, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Italy, and more. Each pursuit was a bridge to deeper understanding, reflecting a spirit that engaged the world authentically and without reservation.

Jim and Jean made their last move to Council Bluffs, where Jean passed in 2024. Jim again embraced new challenges, expanding his skill set to include domestic duties, with a fondness for pancakes. He will be deeply missed by daughters, Karen and Janice; son-in-law Warwick; grandchildren, Kelley, Lindsay, Ryne, McHardy and Jackson; dear friends and fellow enthusiasts; and all whose lives he touched.

Jim Richter leaves behind a legacy of quiet determination, intellectual curiosity, and profound love and kindness, a man who built not just structures, but connections that withstand time. A private celebration of Jim's life will be held with family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Studebaker Drivers Club, c/o Jocelyn Caskey, 1313 S. 16th Street, Blair, NE 68008.