Richard Patrick Regan

Richard “Dick” Patrick Regan, 76, died Saturday, June 12, 2010 at his home in Devils Lake, after a nearly four year courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Dick was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1934 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake. He was the son of Rube and Sibyl (Lovgren) Regan. He attended all 4 country schools in Harding Township and grade school in Garske, ND and St. Mary’s in Devils Lake. He attended high school in Devils Lake and was the co-captain of the football team, having the privilege of playing against Roger Maris, who also died of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Dick sang in the quartet, was in track and also on Miff Graham’s boxing team. He graduated from high school in 1952. Dick attended the University of North Dakota on a football scholarship with the help of Judge Douglas Heen and Tom Clifford for which he was very grateful. In 2003, his class of 1953 UND Football team was inducted into the UND Hall of Fame. While at UND, he sang in The Varsity Bards and Madrigal Chorus. He sang many solos at events during his college career. On December 28, 1954 he married Agnes Lies. They made their home on his family’s farm at Webster, ND, in which Dick was the 4th generation farmer. Together they raised seven children whom which Dick was very proud of. On December 20, 1985 he married Candy Garske in Devils Lake. They made their home in Devils Lake, wintered in Mexico and lived at their cabin in the summer. Dick continued to farm until his retirement in 1997. Dick belonged to many organizations in his lifetime including Farm Bureau, NFO, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, Republican Party and the Elks to name a few. The Elks was his favorite and close to his heart. He went through the Elk’s Chairs in the late 1970’s. As an officer competing against 10 other lodges in the state, he won “All State” in competition as Leading Knight and Exalted Ruler. Dick also served as Elks Trustee on the local and state level for 10 years. He also served as the State President. Elks Camp Grassick was one of his favorite charities. Dick was appointed to serve on the Game and Fish Advisory Board by Governor Allen Olson. He also served on the Ramsey County Water Board for 14 years in which he saw the lake go from near drought to an all out flood. He was also chairman of the Devils Lake Basin. Dick was a member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Webster, ND also known as the “Regan Church” as his great-grandfather donated the land that the church was built on. When the church closed he joined St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake. Music was a very big part of his life. He shared his beautiful Irish Tenor Voice on many occasions and church services. He loved to sing while his sister, Jean played the organ or grand piano. Dick was also very proud of his Irish heritage. Other hobbies included traveling, hunting, refinishing antique furniture, riding motorcycle, working & relaxing at the cabin, raising pheasants and raising vegetable & flower gardens. He shared many flower bouquets with the elderly. He loved the fall season when his “Out of State” hunting friends would come and also enjoyed all of the winters in Mazatlan, Mexico. The Mexican people were very special to him and he helped out many of them. He cherished all the friendships he made through the years. Dick is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Candy; sons, Ken (LuAnn) Regan of Fargo, Dale (Rene) Regan of Fargo, Kevin (Brenda) Regan of Webster; daughters, Cheryl (Arlynn) Hefta of Devils Lake, Teresa (Dean) Austad of Fargo and Dr. Sandy (Dan Roberts) Regan of Milwaukee, WI; step-son, Chris (Michelle) Garske of Grand Forks; sisters, Helen (Alex) Xydias of Burbank, CA, Peggy Fuich of Palmdale, CA, Rita Rolph of Ventura, CA; brothers, David Regan of Tavares, FL, Jack (Margaret) Regan of Simi Valley, CA; 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg; sisters, Mary Francis, Marilyn and Jean; brother, Douglas; son-in-law, Bruce Christie and sister-in-law, Sylvia Regan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice in Dick’s name. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake. VISITATION: Tuesday, June 15, from 12:00-7:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue for the hour prior to the service at the church. SCRIPTURE & ROSARY SERVICE: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 at Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake. INTERMENT: St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Rural Webster, ND.