Richard "Dick" Merton Day

Richard M. Day, 82, of Bemidji, MN died Monday, October 15, 2018 at Mayo, Rochester following heart surgery.

Memorial Services will be 1:30 P.M. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at First Lutheran Church, Bemidji with Pastor Corey Fuhrman officiating. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji.

Richard Day was born April 29, 1936 in Morristown, MN to Merton and Gertrude (Kaul) Day. He graduated from Austin High School in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army in 1955. On March 25, 1956 he married Ann Marie E. Nerad of Myrtle, MN. The couple spent their first year of married life in France where Richard was stationed during the second half of his three year enlistment. Following his military service, he continued his formal education which included a bachelor’s degree in French, Spanish and English from Mankato State University, a master’s degree in French from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in romance language from the University of Missouri. He taught French for 2 years in Fergus Falls, MN and 31 years at Bemidji State University. His life represented a love for his wife, Ann Marie. He valued his family, friends, mountains and sunsets. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, gardening, all other outdoor activities, and helping others.

He is survived by his wife Ann Marie, his son Vincent (Paula), granddaughter Anna, grandson Lucas, and a great-grandson Briar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, favorite pets, (cat) Nipper and (dog) SuSu.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are preferred to First Lutheran Church and Bemidji State University.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dick" Merton Day, please visit our floral store.