Richard Bachelor, 93

Richard Bachelor was born September 9, 1931, to Orin and Frances (Grow) Bachelor in Eli, NE. He first attended school in the Eli area. The family moved to Todd County, SD in 1939 to establish a ranch there. Richard attended the O’Brian school (now Littleburg) through the eighth grade and then attended Valentine High School where he graduated in 1949.

After attending one semester at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, he returned home to work on the family ranch.

In 1952, he volunteered for the United States Air Force and was sworn in on January 4, 1952. He proudly served his country, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge from active duty in 1956. Following the Air Force, he returned to the family ranch.

On April 20, 1957, he was united in marriage to Faye Turney. Faye and Richard were blessed with five children from this union. After the death of his father in 1957, Richard, his mother Frances, and brother Clinton, established Eagle Valley Ranch. I n 1968, Richard began his long service as a bus driver for the Todd County School District chauffeuring kids from the community to and from school, even after his own children had graduated from the district. Richard was gifted with an amazing ability to design very innovative ideas with his mind and create them with his hands, from a gooseneck trailer made from an old truck, to a lift system for a bi-fold garage door. If there was a need he was almost always able to come up with a solution - much to the benefit of the ranch. He also had an amazing ability to repair damaged equipment when the rest of us did something stupid.

Richard was a loving, caring family man who seldom had a cross word for any of his children, but his firm, gentle discipline helped provide his children the foundation upon which to build their own lives. The loving devotion shared between Richard and Faye is something their children will remember always.

Richard did not wear his affections on his sleeve, but he was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and their many achievements. Perhaps unknown to many outside his family, he had many interests, hobbies and talents. He was a licensed pilot and took each of his children for their very first airplane rides, as well as sharing his hobby of building and flying model airplanes.

Richard enjoyed motorsports and acquired several trophies from racing motorcycles. While he never learned to read music, he was very talented musically and played by ear. He would bring his accordion to serenade his future wife Faye while they were dating.

Up until health issues forced him to step back, Richard could be found out in the field helping with haying, in the shed repairing equipment, or driving around in his gator checking on cattle and spraying weeds (or just making sure everyone out working was okay).

Richard joyfully returned to the Lord on May 28, 2025, at the Cherry County Hospital with his family by his side. He leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years Faye; sons David (Cindy) Bachelor of Valentine, NE, Charles (Mary Beth) Bachelor of Schaumburg, IL; and daughter Cathy (Merlin) Sanders of Urbandale, IA. Grandchildren, James (Kaela) Bachelor, Matthew (Bo) Bachelor, Kyle (Courtney) Bachelor, Josh Bachelor, Jillian (Dan) Bachelor, Samantha (DJ) Bachelor, Alex Bachelor, Rebecca (Nico) Costleigh, and Wesley Sanders; and nine, soon to be 10, great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister-in-law Edith Bachelor, as well as several loving nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by parents, Orin and Frances; brothers, Clinton, Jerry, and Harold Ray Bachelor; twin sons, Paul and Howard; and grandson, Michael Bachelor.

Pastor Jake Schadel officiated the 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025 service at the Valentine Methodist Church. Special music was provided by the Valentine Methodist Praise Band, and also Connie Rhoades and Shelly Bachelor.

The Cherry County Veterans provided full military honors at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine, graveside. This was followed by a ‘fly-by’ to honor Richard’s years as a pilot.

Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Online guest book available at www.HolmesFH.com.