Richard D. Albrecht

Richard Dean Albrecht, 64, died September 3, 2015, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, of cancer. He was born April 30, 1951, in Kearney, to Harold and Inez (Johnson) Albrecht. He attended Kearney public schools and Kearney State College. On August 4, 1977, he married Kaye Linn Golden in Kearney. Dick took up the drums in his youth and played with several bands during his lifetime, including The Sunny Funny Company, Stillroven and Last Chance. His interest in music led him to a career as a sound engineer. At Stanal Sound, Ego Trips, Clair Brothers and Audio Visions, Dick worked with various artists, including Neil Diamond, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Rush, Waylon Jennings, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Rickie Lee Jones, The Pointer Sisters and Johnny Cash. His concert tours took him to Europe, South America and Canada; and he traveled the United States extensively. In 1981 he worked as a sound engineer at Ronald Reagan’s presidential inauguration. Arista Records presented Dick with a gold record for his work on Barry Manilow’s album, “Live.” For a time, he worked as a speaker manufacturer at JBL’s Kearney plant. Later he helped coordinate events at the Viaero Event Center and drove for Sunrise Express. Dick was a history buff with a particular fascination for the Civil War. He amassed a library consisting of hundreds of volumes on the subject and his knowledge was extensive. He was an avid reader and enjoyed movie-going with his son. He loved discussing history and politics at great length. Dick was known for his kindness, integrity, humility and steadfastness. He had a quirky sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He kept his promises, fulfilled his obligations and honored his commitments. He was a man of his word. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and friend and had a soft spot in his heart for animals, especially Jefferson and Clovis. He was also a member of the First Lutheran Church. Greatly beloved, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Survivors include wife Kaye Linn of Kearney; daughter Molly Barari and husband David of Rapid City, South Dakota; son John Albrecht of Los Angeles, California; father Harold Albrecht of Kearney; brother Dennis Albrecht of Kearney; aunt Virginia Lindstrom of Holdrege; uncle Vernon Albrecht of Atkinson; aunt Betty Albrecht of Atkinson; aunt and uncle Martha and Wayne Hoxie of Imogene, Iowa; mother-in-law Dory Golden of Peoria, AZ; brothers-in-law Kelly Golden (Cindy) of Peoria, AZ, Tim Golden of Parker, CO and Tom Golden (Jenia) of Omaha; sister-in-law Sharon Golden of Omaha; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kelpie and Fred Johnson and Amelia and Henry Albrecht; mother Inez Albrecht; uncles Morris Lindstrom, John Albrecht, Eddie Albrecht, Arthur Johnson, Harry Johnson and Gene Johnson; aunts Mina Lammert, Dorothy Gaylord, Hilda Lehl, Alvina Albrecht, Mildred Leach and Mabel Johnson; father-in-law James Golden; brother-in-law Brad Golden. The family will hold a memorial service in Kearney in a few months’ time, and will announce the date when it is determined. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is serving the family. Please share memories on the funeral home’s website at osrfh.com. Memorials may be sent to the family for designation to favorite charities.

Richard D. Albrecht

April 30, 1951 - September 3, 2015