Richard Bangert

Richard Fred "Dick" Bangert, 78, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, at his home, with family by his side.

He was born July 28, 1936, in Carlinville, Illinois, to the late James Fred and Eva Ann Evans Bangert.

He and the love of his life, Patricia Wade Beadles, were married Aug. 16, 1959, in Cairo, Illinois.

After graduating from Carlinville High School, Dick attended the University of Illinois, where he joined Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity. Because he valued education, and with gratitude for his high school agriculture teacher, he endowed a scholarship for agriculture students from Carlinville High School to attend the U of I. He also endowed a scholarship for members of Pi Kappa Phi at the U of I.

After he graduated from the University of Illinois, with a degree in agriculture, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army. After being honorably discharged, Dick worked in feed sales for Allied Mills. In 1966, he moved his family to Cairo to establish and manage the ServiceMaster plant. He later accepted the responsibility of managing the family farms for Vandivort Properties Inc.

Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman, which is evidenced by the large collection of trophies he accumulated from all over the world. These include trophies from Africa, South America, Alaska, Colorado and many from Missouri and Illinois. Although he enjoyed worldwide adventures, his favorite place was "The Ranch" in Wayne County, Missouri, where he enjoyed many escapades with his friends, whom he called "The Tribe."

Although Dick loved to hunt and fish, he also was a dedicated conservationist and supported many organizations with his time and resources. He was a member of the Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited and the National Rifle Association, and he was a charter member of both the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited. Dick enjoyed clandestinely placing over 125 bluebird houses and 75 wood duck houses in random locations throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

What probably meant the most to Dick was his mentoring relationships with the many young hunters and fishermen who became his lifelong friends. He enjoyed talking with pride about what fine young men they became.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Thomas and Virginia Beadles, and his beloved companions Jerry Neal, Leo Harris and John Sarff.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patricia Bangert; son, Richard Thomas Bangert of Cape Girardeau; daughters Julia (Ken) Kohlberg of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Dr. Karen (Tom Muir) Bangert of Cape Girardeau; brothers David Bangert of Carlinville and Daniel (Sue) Bangert of Jerseyville, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Robert, Stephanie, Patrick and Johnathan Kohlberg, Laura (Scott) Ozark and Emily and Jessica Muir; and many other family and devoted friends.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating. A full military honors tribute will end the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited or the NRA.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com