Richard A. “Dick” Schwalbe, 80, passed away September 27, 2026. He was born January 1, 1946, to Albert and Emma (Sorge) Schwalbe in Mandan, North Dakota.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 2, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 102 Butte Ave, Center, ND.

Visitation will be held from 5:00- 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 1, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM.

Burial will be held at Saint Pauls Cemetery, Center, ND.

Dick grew up in the Center area, attended a one-room country school, and later attended Center High School and Mandan High School. At Mandan High School he played football and wrestled, graduating in 1964.

Dick enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1964 and served during the Vietnam War. During his military service, he received several honors, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He later served in the Air Force Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1970.

Dick was hired at the Minnkota Power Plant on March 2, 1970. He married Lila Dietrich in Las Vegas on November 16, 1972, and with that marriage, he also agreed to love and care for her three children, Sheila, Gary, and Terry. In the spring of 1973, they purchased the family farm from Dick's parents and moved to Center, North Dakota. Their daughter, Cassandra, was born in 1981. Dick devoted his working years to both his career at Minnkota and the family farm. After nearly four decades at Minnkota, he retired and continued farming.

Dick enjoyed hunting in Montana and Colorado with friends and family, fishing in North Dakota, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Lila died unexpectedly in an accident in May 2008. After Lila's death, Dick enjoyed attending his grandchildren's soccer games and wrestling tournaments. In 2021, Dick was diagnosed with cancer, which he battled through his final days.

Dick is survived by his children, Sheila (Dave) Glaser, Gary (Dana) Schwalbe, and Cassandra (Jason) Meyer; his grandchildren, Brittany (Ben) Garber, Brandi (Dustin) Bures, Alexis (Tyler) Price, Quintessa (Brandon) Piatz, Destiny (Mason) Sisk, Breanna (Trevor) Jellison, Brayden Schwalbe, Emma (Nick) Almen, Ella Meyer, AJ Meyer, and Lila Brazell; several great-grandchildren; his sisters, Shirley (Mel) Barnett and Karla (Bill) Zander; and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lila; his parents, Albert and Emma (Sorge) Schwalbe; his brother, Mark; and his son, Terrance (Terry).