Richard A. "Dick" Osterday

Former Sidney resident Richard A. “Dick” Osterday, 87, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Hastings, NE surrounded by his loving family.    

A private family burial will take place at a later date. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.

Dick was born in Dell Rapids, SD on February 18, 1936, to Herb & Marie (Comstock) Osterday. He attended schools in Dell Rapids, Dempster, and Castlewood, SD, and attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, SD. Dick graduated from college in 1958 and did graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado and Chadron State College. He began his teaching career in Redfield, SD, and met the love of his life, Elaine. They were married on June 4, 1961. In 1963, they moved to Sidney, NE where he taught for the next 35 years.

Dick coached cross country and track during the first twenty years of his career.  He taught civics and computers at Sidney Middle School. During Dick’s early teaching career, he was involved in many state and local education committees and the Sidney Educators Association. Upon retiring from coaching, Dick entered the field of politics and served two terms on the Sidney city council and two terms as the mayor of Sidney. Dick also served on the Sidney Housing Authority and was an active member of Light Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon.

Dick was an avid fisherman and avid storyteller, but also a good listener and easily made friends. This combination led him to buy a camper after Elaine died in 2009 and he spent the next 14 years being a snowbird at Lake Havasu, AZ in the winters, and fishing at Bob’s Resort at Lake Oahe in South Dakota in the summers. He met many wonderful friends from all over the country. His favorite role was being “Gramps” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; two sisters; an infant daughter; and his wife, Elaine.

Survivors include his son, Rick (Sandy) of Java, SD; daughter, Renee (Tom) Callaghan of Hastings, NE; four grandchildren, Blane (Liz) Osterday and Clay (Erin) Osterday both of Java, SD, Kelsey (Jake) Stokely of Hastings, NE, and Drew (Mikayla) Callaghan of Omaha, NE; five great-grandchildren, Gatlin, Callan, Quinnlee, and Deacon Stokely, and Vivian Osterday.