Richard J. "Rich" Portwood

Hastings resident Richard Joseph “Rich” Portwood, 65, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023.   

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 13, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, NE. Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett will officiate the service. The family invites you to wear casual or golf attire. A private family burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, with family present from 5-7 p.m. at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign, Hastings Public Schools Foundation Playground Project, and the Hastings YMCA. The family requests in memory of Rich (in lieu of flowers), to please spread joy through acts of kindness, community service, and/or flowers to loved ones or friends. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fpchastings and at www.lbvfh.com. To view the service, please go to Rich’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page.

Richard was born November 22, 1957, in Hastings, NE to Robert E. and Mary Jean (Varejcka) Portwood. He took pride in his time growing up in Hastings with adventure, freedom, and responsibility. Rich graduated from Hastings High School in 1976, attended Montana State, and went on to Kearney State College (University of Nebraska-Kearney) to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1980. Rich and Karen L. Cambridge were married on May 24, 1980, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, NE. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.

Rich worked in marketing and sales for Cornhusker Press of Hastings, NE and 23 years with Field Paper Company of Omaha, NE. He enjoyed being active in the community, coaching, building, remodeling, cooking, golfing, Arizona sunshine, and spending time with family and friends. Richard served on multiple committees and boards within the Hastings community, including First Presbyterian Church, YMCA, Hastings Public Schools Foundation, a Sertoma Club member, and Hastings Midget Football.

He is preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, W. G. Cambridge.

Richard is survived by his wife, Karen of Hastings; children, Audrey (Cody) Petersen of Des Moines, IA and Thomas Portwood of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Eleanor and Oliver Petersen; siblings, Barbara (Bill) Bollinger of Surprise, AZ, Douglas (Susan) Portwood of Plano, TX, and Carol Nicolarsen of Tucson, AZ; mother-in-law, Jean Cambridge of Omaha, NE; and sister-in-law, Elisa Cambridge of Leawood, KS. Also special to Rich were his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and lifelong friends.

The family would like to thank the Morrison Cancer Center and Aseracare Hospice for their care and friendship.