Richard William Glasshoff was born Aug. 24, 1949, in Omaha, to Donald and Norma (Haney) Glasshoff and passed away peacefully at home in Waco, surrounded by his family, on April 16, 2026, at the age of 76 years, 7 months and 23 days.
Rich attended Weeping Water High School and graduated with the class of 1968. After his graduation, he went to school at Nebraska Vocational Technical School in Milford and graduated with his associate’s degree in building construction technology in 1970. Rich joined the United States Navy in 1970 and was stationed in Diego Garcia and later in the Philippines. After his honorable discharge in December of 1972, he married Marietta Vrbka on Aug. 10, 1973, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, and to this union, two children were born, Drew and Doug.
He was then employed at Mead Lumber in York. After some time there, Rich started Glasshoff Construction in 1982, where he worked on numerous projects before he partnered his business with Neville Construction of McCool Junction. Along with his construction work, Rich started farming with his brother-in-law, Jack, in 1992.
After retirement, Rich enjoyed yard work and looked forward to “mow day.” He loved spending time with family, especially helping grandkids with woodworking projects for school and scouts. He spent countless hours in his shop making wooden American flags and corn hole boards. He also found enjoyment in cooking different meats on his many smokers and sharing them with his family.
Rich was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Utica and was a Boy Scout Leader for Pack 180 for many years. After a heart attack in 2015, he attended cardiac rehab in Seward three mornings a week where he made many friends.
Rich is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Ronald Glasshoff.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Marietta Glasshoff of Waco; sons and daughters-in-law, Drew (Heather) Glasshoff of Shelby, and Doug (Paige) Glasshoff of Brainard; grandchildren and spouses, Derek (Ericka) Glasshoff of Waco, Brandon (fiancée, Tessa Klevemann) Glasshoff of Lincoln, Kara, Kylie and Kendra Glasshoff of Shelby, Reid, Kale and Blaire Glasshoff of Brainard; brother, Roger Glasshoff of Locust Grove, Virginia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carol Glasshoff of Charlotte, North Carolina, Robert (Beth) Vrbka of Seward, Jack (Elaine) Vrbka of Waco, Ann Kosek of Utica, and Judy Woolsey of Cozad.
Visitation with family will be Monday, April 20, from 5 – 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Utica. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 21, at 10:30 at the church with a graveside service at the church cemetery.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
