Richard Paul Graber, 79, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at his home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His parents were Hugo and Collette (Krier) Graber from Bridgewater, SD. Rich was fortunate enough to share his life with his three wives and their twenty children. Rich would have celebrated his 80th birthday on February 22, 2025.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 Friday, January 3, 2025, at Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls with Reverend Greg Johnson, officiating.

After graduating from Bridgewater High School, Richard served in the United States Navy from August 1963 until he retired in March 1983. During those years he lived in Oxnard and San Diego, California, Memphis, Tennessee, Naval Air Station Ataughi Japan, Naval Air Facility Naha Okinawa, Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, and on the following ships: USS Midway, USS Coral Sea, and USS Enterprise. Rich also served in the following Fighter Squadrons: VX-4, VC-5, VF-121, VF-124, VF-151, and VF-2. Richard attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. When he retired, he was serving as the Master Chief for Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

In 1972 Richard married Diane Kiefer of Mentor, Ohio. They had two children. Rich's marriage to Diane ended in divorce in 1992.

His son, Jeff, and Jeff's wife, Natalie, have two boys, Bryce and Chase. Jeff is employed with Costco, and Natalie is working as lead teacher at UCSD Early Childhood Education Center. They live in Poway, CA. Rich's daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Jose, have four children: Tyson, Nolin, Quinn, and Shae La. Jamie is a registered nurse and Jose is a San Diego Police Lieutenant.

Upon retirement from the Navy, Rich worked for General Dynamic's Electronics Division for approximately 18 months as a Technical Writer. He then changed jobs and worked for Science Applications International Corporation, Technology Division for the next eleven years. While there he had several positions: Technical Writer, Field Service Engineer, and Mature Programs Manager.

In1995 Richard opted to relocate to South Dakota. Rich married Lynette Hatch of Bridgewater in 1996. They spend the next few years managing Hatch Uniform Services together until it was sold in 2000. With Lynnette, Rich had four stepchildren: Chad, Casey, Clyde, and Tina Gorter. They in turn have provided 13 children. As many of you know, Lynnette passed away in 2002 from cancer.

In 2006 Rich met Gail Meader and they married in 2007. Gail is a life-long Sioux Falls resident. She taught in the Sioux Falls School District until 2011. After retiring from teaching, Gail worked at Scheels and then at Bird Dog Equity Partners. Gail's two sons are Jarod and Joseph. Jarod has three daughters, Cammy, Olivia, and Sophie. Joe and Shannon (Koepsell) were married in November 2022.

Rich loved to attend his children's and stepchildren's events. Rich was also a "regular" attendee at early morning Scheel's for coffee and was always a great volunteer – especially for anyone who needed a ride!