Richard J. Sebastian, 64

St. Cloud

August 28, 1948 ~ February 1, 2013

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud for Richard J. Sebastian, 64, who died Friday at Quiet Oaks Hospice House. The Reverend Tony Oelrich and the Reverend Tom Dore will officiate and burial will be at Assumption Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud and one hour prior to the mass Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois to Norbert and Dorothy (Stark) Sebastian. Richard earned his Bachelor's Degree in psychology from Lewis University in 1970. He earned his Masters (1972) and Ph. D. (1974) in psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. On October 15, 1994 Richard married Cynthia "Cindy" Mason in St. Cloud. Richard retired in 2011 as Professor Emeritus of Management from St. Cloud State University. During his time at St. Cloud State University, Richard was a Professor of Management, Director for the Center of Business Research and Development, Chair of the Management Department for three terms, and Faculty Director of Ingolstadt, Germany Study Abroad program in the Fall of 2008. Richard received many honors and awards during his career; Lewis College Academic Scholarship, B.A. with Highest Honor (Lewis College), Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Danforth Fellowship (Honorable Mention), Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Fellowship, Postdoctoral Fellowship (Family Violence Research Program at the University of New Hampshire), Distinguished Research Award (St. Cloud State University), G.R. Herberger College of Business Distinguished Service Award, G.R. Herberger Distinguished Professor of Business, and many, many other recognitions. Richard was a member of many professional organizations such as: American Psychological Association, Midwestern Psychological Association, North American Management Society (Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President of Programs, President, and Board Member), Board member/past president of Midwestern Business Administration Association, and past president of MBAA International. Richard had a vast array of consulting experiences, served as an issue consultant on various journal publications, presented at professional meetings and has many publications in journals and texts. Richard will be missed dearly.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Cindy of St. Cloud; son, Daniel (Becky) of Inver Grove Heights; daughters, Lilian, Sophia, and Susan all at home; sisters, Patricia (Ken) Jezierski of Omaha, NE, and Eileen (Steve) Pankow, of Atlanta, GA. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, Jack Wesley.

In Lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House or the American Cancer Society research for Pancreatic Cancer.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Feb. 5, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Sebastian

18 Entries

Patrick Murphy - Santa Maria, California

May 18, 2023

Richard and I were Classmates at St. Patrick H.S. in Chicago, Illinois where we graduated together in 1966. I just (May 17, 2023) learned that he has passed away.

Richard was a well-known and popular student at St. Pat's, respected for both his academic and athletic achievements. He was almost always on the Honor Roll and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also on the "Green and Gold" staff, which was responsible for publishing the annual yearbook at St. Pat's. As a member of St. Pat's wrestling team, Richard presented as a fierce and formidable competitor who was victorious more often than not.

Richard was thought of as a great guy by his fellow students at St. Pat's, and he will be missed by all of his surviving Classmates.

Here is Richard's Senior Portrait from the 1966 Yearbook, "The Shamrock".

Michael Meister

January 30, 2019

Rich and I grew up together in Chicago. We were in the same class at St. Priscilla's and played on the same little league team. He was the best person that I've ever known. Upstanding, honest, true, caring ... you couldn't ask for a better person. Rest in peace, Rich. Mike

August 12, 2013

Dear Cindy and family,

I was very saddened to hear of Richard's passing. I remember him as one of the very brightest and most personable people in my high school class at St. Partrick in Chicago.

Blessings to you and your family.

Paul E. Peldyak, Mount Prospect, IL
St. Patrick H.S. Class of '66

February 17, 2013

Dear Cindy and Family,
Our deepest condolences. I've known Rich for over 55 years. We grew up, went to grade school, played little league on the same team and went on different paths in life in 1966. The rest of our lives have been in touch thru Christmas Card lists.
I must say that I, always, admired Rich for his intelligence, quick wit, contagious smile and sparkle in his eye. He is one of the few people that I've known in life that I can truly say -- is a Good Person! I will think of him fondly and miss him dearly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Michael and Nina Meister
The Woodlands, TX

Forrest Sipiora

February 17, 2013

Though it's been many, many yeare since I saw Rich, I remember
him as being one of the good guys. He never had a bad word
to say about anyone.

John & Sookie Hammond

February 7, 2013

Cindy and family, we are so sorry to hear the news of Rich's passing. Our deepest sympathies for your loss. You, Rich and your family have always been great neighbors to all of us. We will all miss him.

Michele Walklin

February 7, 2013

My deepest sympathies to you, Cindy and your Family.

nina flores

February 6, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family

Balsy Kasi

February 6, 2013

I served with Dr. Richard Sebastian in several committees on campus and I have learned a lot from him. His eyes beamed whenever he talked about his kids and family. I had a lovely chat with him when he bouught "The Hunger Games" for his daughter in East side Target. He said, he will be watching it with her and other kids. "Good night,dear heart, good night, good night - Twain".

Mark Moberg

February 6, 2013

When asked Richard always said he exactly what he thought, and he always attributed to my own words as much good as they could carry. He was a remarkable friend

Gail Ruhland

February 6, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard's family. It is a great loss.

Andrea Lauer

February 5, 2013

My deepest sympathy to Cindy and the family.

Roseanna Ross

February 5, 2013

Rich was a respected colleague whom I fully enjoyed--we had numerous opportunities to work together over our many years at SCSU first as faculty/advisors, then as trainers/consultants, campus mediators, finally as chairpersons. His students always spoke highly of him to me. His smile was contagious; our conversations stimulating. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Kent Royalty

February 5, 2013

To the family of Richard Sebastian:
I am so sorry to learn of Rich's passing. I taught with Rich at SCSU in the 1980's and count him as a dear friend. Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

February 5, 2013

I served on a committee with Rich many years ago, and after that, whenever I encountered him on campus, he invariably gave my energy a lift with his warmth and availability. I can see from his obituary that he led his life fully. What an admirable human being! My thoughts are with his family. Bruce Hyde

Kenton Frohrip

February 5, 2013

Although I haven,t seenRich for many years my memories of our collegial relationship are all positive. His contributions to SCSU should be noted and remembered.

Steve Behrenbrinker

February 5, 2013

Richard taught several courses for the Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers and instilled a strong sense of leadership and professionalism to all that attended his courses. He will be missed by all that knew him. Our deepest sympathy from the Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers.

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