Richard "Dick" Eugene Nolte

Having spent the day surrounded by his family, Richard “Dick” Eugene Nolte, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away shortly after midnight on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Beautiful Savior Home in Belton, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Lula Mae “Lu” Nolte.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Laverne “Bunny” Lauber, and brothers-in-law, Norman “Chic” Lauber, Phillip Neil Bracher, and Lester Tebbenkamp. Additional survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Mike) Taylor and son, Richard Douglas (Marlene) Nolte; grandchildren, Nick (Allyce Callahan) Taylor, Jake Taylor, Travis (Lacey Stecker) Nolte, Zoey (Nathan) Toomey, Rachel (Michael) Realmuto, great-grandson, Dominic Realmuto; sister, Janice Eileen (Harold “Dewey”) Peerson; sisters-in-law, Martha Bracher and Dianne Tebbenkamp; nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 25, 1932, to Karl Adam and Kathryn Clara (Bracher) Nolte, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas.

After graduating from Wyandotte High School, Dick joined the Navy to do his part during the Korean War. He completed his tour of duty having travelled the world and gained skills and experience he would use the rest of his life. He was stationed in Japan and served from 1951 to 1955.

Dick left the Navy determined to remain a bachelor. He met Lula Mae Tebbenkamp through his cousin, who was dating her sister, and came home from their first date with a change of heart. 

Dick and Lu married on February 18, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma, Missouri. They moved from Kansas City, Kansas to Kansas City, Missouri and embarked on a 68-year journey. Anyone who spent five minutes with Dick could see what a dedicated family man he was. His love and devotion to family guided him and comforted him throughout a long and happy life.

But his impact was felt well beyond his beloved family. Having never met a stranger, Dick extended his generous spirit to all he encountered. Quick with a joke or story, he made a friend of everyone he encountered.

He took pride in his work and completed stints at a grocery store, sign company, and electronics shop before settling in to a long and rewarding career as a broadcast engineer at the UMKC School of Dentistry. He simultaneously ran his own business, Lamp Servicing Company (motto: “To make your lighting problems light”) and continued to run it after his retirement from UMKC.

A man of many skills and interests, Dick took joy spending time at the lake with family and friends - boating and water skiing were passions he enjoyed his entire life. In fact, he celebrated his 75^th birthday by skiing. Another important pastime included photography, especially of the flowers, birds, and insects that inhabited Lu’s gardens. He shared his skill at fixing what was broken with all who had a problem. Few men have ever been as willing and able to use their skills to aid their family, friends, and community.

A lifelong, faithful Lutheran, he was active in the churches he attended - Immanuel Lutheran Church and Calvary Lutheran Church. His faith in God was a constant and guiding influence in his life and well prepared him for the life eternal. That faith allowed him to meet the end with grace and dignity. Our sadness that we have lost his company must be tempered by our knowledge that his presence will always reside in our hearts.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7500 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64114 starting at 10:00am. A Funeral Service will follow the Visitation starting at 11:00am. Richard will be laid to rest in Alma, MO at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 7500 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64114.