Richard Wayne (Dick) Haslow

Richard Wayne (Dick) Haslow, 79, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center.

He was born February 21, 1932, in Gordon, Nebraska to John C. and Famy (Wingett) Haslow. He attended elementary school in Gordon and graduated from Gordon High School in 1950. On August 26, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Alta Gardiner and to this union four children were born.

He served in the United States Army, at Fort Dix New Jersey from 1954 to 1956. He attended Chadron State College and was a member of the Blue Key National Honorary Fraternity and lettered in both football and track. He earned his bachelors degree in 1960, and in 1990 received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the college, for his achievements in working with youth. He was one of the original staff members of the Pine Ridge Job Corp when it opened at Chadron. In 1976 he was included in the bi-centennial edition of Who’s Who in Nebraska.

Dick was always a cowboy at heart. In his younger days, he worked as a hired man for several ranchers throughout the panhandle. In 1960 he became a full partner on the Orla Rucker ranch near Chardon, and was named Outstanding Young Farmer/Rancher in 1966. He owned and operated a small ranch north of Bingham for nearly 40 years, and enjoyed riding horseback, working cattle and putting up hay. In 1968, Dick moved his family to Alliance and became the Director of the Nebraska Boys Ranch. During his thirty three years at the Ranch, he influenced the lives of hundreds of boys, until his retirement in 2001.

Dick was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed watching Huskers and Broncos football, Colorado Rockies baseball and PRCA Bull Riding. He also enjoyed traveling, and had visited all fifty states. His greatest sadness was the loss of two of his children to Cystic Fibrosis. His greatest joy was spending time with the rest of his family; his wife of 60 years, his children, grandchildren and great grandson.

He is survived by his wife Alta Haslow, his children Rich (Rhonda) Haslow, and Carla (Reid) Block, all of Alliance, one grandson, Richard Haslow of New York, NY, three granddaughters, Tammy (William) Suit, Lyndsey Block and Lauren Block, all of Alliance, and one great grandson, Nathaniel Suit. He is also survived by brothers and sisters in law, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Debra Lynne Haslow and a son, Robert Jay Haslow, his brother John Haslow and his two sisters, Betty Hensley and Marian Nygaard.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Alliance United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Charles Kathurima M. officiating. Interment will be at the Gordon Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will be Friday from 1-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church, Prairie Haven Hospice or Good Samaritan Health Care Center.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.