Richard C. Bye

Richard C. Bye, 88 of rural Hamar, ND passed away Friday, July 13, 2018 at the farm he has called home for 86 years in the care of his family and Altru Hospice.

Richard Curtis, son of Edward and Hazel (RIchards) Bye was born on January 26,1930 at St. Paul, Minnesota. At the age of 2 the family moved to the current farmstead in rural Hamar and Richard attended the Free Born Township School, Hamar Public School and Warwick High School.

Richard's father died when he was 9 and Richard and his mother stayed on the farm and at the age of 16, Richard took over the farming operation from his grandfather, Thomas Richards. This change of hands began the change of replacing a team of horses with an H John Deere tractor.  

Richard was united in marriage to Bertina Holtz on August 31, 1951 at Crookston, MN. Their married life continued on the rural Hamar farm where they farmed, raised various livestock and lovingly reared their four children.  

Life on the farm was Richard's passion. He never really officially retired and worked for neighboring farmers in later years.  Keeping the house warm in winter required chopping wood for the stove which Richard did until a year ago. When there was free time, Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  

Richard was a devoted husband, loving Dad and a proud grandpa. He treasured every moment spent with family and friends. 

Richard's surviving family include his wife of 66 years, Bertina; sons and their spouses Robert and RaShell Bye, Devils Lake, David and Linda Bye, Fredericksburg, VA and Russell and Jody Bye of Tolna; daughter Diana Bye also of Tolna; grandchildren Erek (Lyndsay) Bye, Fargo, Morgan (Adam) Barr, Fredericksburg, VA, Madeline (Adam) James, Roanoke, VA, Jeffrey Bye (Laura), Fargo, Nicholas (Brittany) Bye, Thompson, ND and Samantha Bye (Sean) also of Fargo; great grandkids Zayda, Shelby, Ethyn, Charlie, Oliver, Aiden, Kaleb, Jailee, Jocelyn, Brielle and Connor; brother-in-law Harold (Bonnie) Holtz, Bismarck, ND; sisters-in-law Arlene Holtz, New Rockford, ND and Elda Holtz of California; several nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Joyce Bye and granddaughter Erin Bye.