RICHARD DONALD SWITZER, age 69, of Luverne, formerly of Minot, ND, and St. Cloud, MN, died Monday, December 19, 2011, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was born December 14, 1942, in Minot, ND, to E. Donald and Frances "Chris" (Christenson) Switzer. Dick graduated from Minot High School in 1960. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from North Dakota State University in 1967. He served his internship at Finney Drug in Bismarck, ND.
In 1968, Dick entered the United States Navy. He served in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital as a Pharmacy Tech before being separated from the service in 1972. Dick later traveled to various cities. He returned to Minot, ND in 1975. He became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home, in Luverne, in 2008.
He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne; a former member of American Legion Post #268 in Waite Park; and a member of American Legion Post #123 in Luverne.
Dick is survived by his brother, Bill (Ellen) Switzer, Ft. Collins, CO; two nephews, Kee & Kyle Switzer; niece, Melody (David) Foltz; great nephew, Daniel; and three great nieces, Kayla, Karoline & MinJee.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A time of fellowship will be Monday, December 26, 2011, from 6-8 pm at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. A Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. A memorial service will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at the Williams-Dingmann Funeral Home, in St. Cloud, officiated by Fr. Al Stangle. A private burial of cremains with full military honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, in Minot, ND, at a later date.
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