Richard Wayne Mudgett

Richard W. Mudgett, 63 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital with loving family at his side.

Richard Wayne Mudgett was born November 5, 1955, in Quantico, Virginia to Delores (Hinderscheit) and Allen Mudgett. He grew up with a rough and tumble passle of brothers in the Twin Cities area, raised under the loving (but oh so very firm) hand of his mother, “Big Red”.  Richard’s father was a drill sergeant with the US MC, and his service instilled in the family a deep sense of duty.  In 1971, he joined the Marine Corps and proudly served his country in that capacity before being honorably discharged in 1977.  The brothers could not let a gathering pass without retelling the same military stories a least once. 

Following his discharge, he began what grew into a life-long passion: driving big rig with his father and brothers. This is how he met the love of his life.  On Mother’s Day in 1979, while eating at a local diner with this brothers, Richard met his blue-eyed blonde haired “Eliza Jane”.  They were married on January 19, 1980.  Together, Richard and Elisa raised four children.

He reenlisted in the military, this time as a part of the Army National Guard’s 3662 “Deuce” division at Camp Grafton. He remained in the Guards for twenty-two years, until his health forced his retirement. 

Richard’s swimming skills were unparalleled-he was scouted by the Olympics while still in high school, and he later taught each of his children to swim by (lovingly) throwing them into the lake. His dance skills were also legendary, whether it was twirling his Eliza Jane out on the floor or teaching his children his epic “Godzilla” moves.  Nobody had more rhythm than Richard. 

Richard didn’t talk much, so when he did, you knew you had better listen. Despite his gruff exterior, he had a heart of gold.  Countless nephews, cousins, and friends of his children considered him a second father and would stop by when in town to visit with him.  He made every single one of us feel like we were his favorite. 

In his later years, Richard became a self-proclaimed Jeopardy! champion, loudly heckling anyone who got a wrong answer. Win or lose, Richard enjoyed cheering on his Oakland Raiders.  He was also a “foodie”, trying anything new that he could and experimenting in the kitchen. 

Among so many other things, Richard was known for his stubbornness. This served him well in his decade-plus long health battle, when he defied all the doctors’ odds and expectations.  Time and again, he displayed this stubbornness and strength, until he simply became too tired to continue to do so.  He passed away August 21, 2019, with his best friend, his Eliza Jane, by his side. 

Richard is survived by his loving family. His wife Elisa, Devils Lake; daughters Vanessa Berge, Moorhead, MN, Katrina Mudgett, Grand Junction, CO and Hillary Mudgett, Devils Lake; son Logan Mudgett, Devils Lake; grandchildren Jeremey Henderson and Brandon Berge: Zowie Dawn Drayer: Paige Elise Salazar, Allena Salazar, Finn Adam Wayne Otis and Cole Allen James Otis; siblings Chris (Julie) Mudgett, Matt Mudgett, Greg Mudgett all of Minnesota, Archie (Cynthia) Mudgett, Perry (Sharon) Mudgett, Rosalee Mudgett, Bennett Mudgett all of North Dakota and Jerrid (Janet) Mudgett of Montana; in-laws Joni Mudgett, Kathy (Cal) Haskew, Washington, Craig (Natasha) Miller, Marcella Mudgett (Cal), Sarah (John) Kuk, Maggie Miller (Greg) all of Devils Lake and Joe Butts Miller, South Dakota; several aunts, uncles and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter Ericha Elise Mudgett, son-in-law Harley Berge, brothers Curt, Ronnie, Mark and Melchoir Mudgett, nephews Darrett and Parker Mudgett, father-in-law and mother-in-law Keith and Lois Miller and brother-in-law Marc Butts-Miller.

Funeral Services for Richard will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Chaplain (Major) Timothy Stout officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation on Saturday will be one hour prior to the funeral service.