Richard Dean “Dick” Greenwood, of Utica, was born March 28, 1939, to farmers, Albert William and Rose Ethel (Boon) Greenwood in Utica.
He attended Utica High School, graduating in 1957, and was the point guard on the Utica High School 1957 Class D state championship basketball team. On June 17, 1961, Dick was united in marriage to Verdayne Ellen Schaefer at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst. Dick brought his bride home to the Utica residence he built at age 18. This is the home he and Verdayne would raise their family and where Dick remained until shortly before his death. He enlisted in U.S. Army National Guard on Aug. 3, 1962, and was discharged on April 2, 1968. Dick worked as a manager at Blue Valley Co-op. He was a member of Utica Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Utica Legion Post #49. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending St. Paul Lutheran Church, spectating local sporting events and serving his community. Dick passed away peacefully after a prolonged battle with cancer on May 7, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 10 days.
He is survived by his children, Kimberly Speranza of Franklin, Tennessee, and Todd Greenwood of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren, Samuel and Stella Speranza and Grace Greenwood; brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Mary Jane Greenwood and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Rose Ethel Greenwood; wife, Verdayne Greenwood; brother, Albert Greenwood; sister and brother-in-law, Rose Mary and Darold “Smitty” Smith. The Village of Utica will never be the same.
The funeral service was May 16 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica with committal at the Utica Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
