Richard Goding

Richard (Rich) Morris Goding, 59, of Curtis died October 30, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.

Rich was born February 2, 1948 in Ontario, California to John and Ruth (Kaufman) Goding. Rich grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska where he attended Wasmer Grade School, Barr Junior High and graduated from Grand Island Senior High Class of 1966. He served four years in the Air Force security service, 6915th Security Group. After attending boot camp in Texas, Rich spent the next nine months in intensive Russian language study at Syracuse University in New York. He completed his tour of duty as a Sergeant and served as a Russian linguist from 1967 through 1971 where he was stationed at Hof Air Force Base in Germany.

After the Air Force, Rich returned to Grand Island where he took a job as route salesman for Meadow Gold Milk. In 1976 Rich went to work as a route salesman for Rainbo Bread Company, because as Rich put it, "bread is lighter than milk". Rich worked for Rainbo until the end of 1986 when he took a position with Old Home Bread (Metz Baking Company).

Rich married Kathleen Brittain on May 29, 1976 at the Church of the Nazarene in Grand Island, NE. Rich and Kathy moved to Greeley Colorado in 1989 when he was transferred and promoted to Route Supervisor by Old Home Bread. He took early retirement from Old Home Bread and moved to Curtis, NE in 1996 to pursue his longtime hobbies of hunting and fishing.

Rich was a very social person and had a tremendous love for being around, working with and serving other people. It was this passion that led Rich and his wife Kathy to start Curtis Cattle Company restaurant and saloon in 2000. Since its opening, Rich fulfilled his dream and has been a mentor to dozens of employees and a friend to hundreds of customers. Rich was a loving son and brother, devoted husband and father, and trusted friend to many.

Rich is survived by his wife Kathy of Curtis, NE, sons Ron Brittain of Panama, FL, Kevin (Kelly) Brittain and Gary Brittain both of Grand Island, NE, and Richie Goding of Omaha NE; daughters Jennie Dethlefs of Boelus, NE and Lia (Paul) Simcox of Arapahoe, NE; brothers Paul Goding of Miami, FL, Robert Goding of Omaha, NE and Larry Goding of Rock Springs, WY; and nine grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth (Kaufman) Goding and daughter Michele.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 8:00pm Sunday, Nov. 4 at the United Methodist Church in Curtis.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am, Monday, Nov. 5 at the United Methodist Church in Curtis with Rev. Kevin Burkhardt officiating.

Burial will take place at 3:30pm, Monday, Nov. 5 the West Lawn Cemetery in Grand Island.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the United Methodist Church.