GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Richard E. “Dick” Bortz, 85, of Grand Island, Neb., died March 2, 2012 at the Grand Island Veteran’s Home.
Richard was born Sept. 30, 1926 in Hutchinson, the son of Andrew and Lydia (Stang) Bortz.
Richard grew up on a dairy farm near Great Bend and graduated from Great Bend High School.  He attended Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in chemistry.  He entered the United States Navy on May 22, 1944, served in the North Atlantic and South Pacific theatres and was honorably discharged July 15, 1946.
Richard was united in marriage to Ruth Dietz of Galatia, on Aug. 17, 1947 in Great Bend.  Following their marriage, they lived in Manhattan, Pratt, Las Cruces, N.M. and Wichita. They moved to Grand Island in 2007 to be close to their family.  He was employed by Kansas Farm Bureau and New Mexico Farm Bureau, retiring in 1987. Richard and Ruth also managed the La Quinta Inn (East) in Wichita until retiring in 1993.
Richard was active in the United Methodist Church in Garden City, Manhattan, Pratt and Wichita; and Las Cruces, N.M. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Grand Island when he passed away.  He was involved in the Boy Scouts of the Santa Fe Council in Southwest Kansas; was a Master Mason; a board member of the Wichita Convention Bureau; was active in the Wichita Lodging Association and on the City of Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau Committee.  Richard was a member of the Rotary, Elks and Lions Clubs.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ruth Bortz; their son and daughter-in-law, Robert “Bob” and Karen Bortz and their daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn “Kat” Bortz and Earl Haworth, all of Grand Island, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Marion and Eugene.
All Faiths Funeral Home of Grand Island is serving the family. Memorial services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10 at the First Christian Church in Grand Island. The Reverend Dr. Scott Taylor and Reverend Dr. Carter Aikin will officiate.  Military honors will be provided by the United Veterans Honor Guard. 
There will be no visitation. A burial of ashes will be scheduled at a later date in Great Bend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association. Condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
All Faiths Funeral Home *
2929 South Locust Street
Grand Island, NE, 68801
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, March 7, 2012