DICK BERHOW
A LIFE WELL LIVED
By Peggy Lincoln
Richard Berhow, or best known as Dick, left this Earth on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at the age of 94 1/2. While he is no longer with us physically, he is a man who left behind many memories and pieces of his handiwork.
He loved learning about people and their stories. He dove into the genealogy of his family as well as Louise’s. He also loved working with his hands. He was curious and enjoyed taking on new skills. 
He collected stamps, did picture framing, cross-stich, needlepoint, and basket weaving, just to name a few. Most of all, he loved working with wood. There are many pieces of his work or handiwork in repairing things at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Sons of Norway Lodge. He made trivets, canes, rolling pins, cribbage boards, walking sticks, nativity scenes, furniture, wooden toys and built a couple of houses! One of the coolest things is he collected different kinds of wood when he traveled, or people would give him pieces and he turned them into gavels. I think we have about 170 gavels, no two alike. It was a beautiful way to display the beauty and weight of each piece of wood. Even at 94, when he saw a piece of wood he would ask if he could have it so he could make something with it. We had to gently remind him that it was no longer safe to use those types of tools. I have had many people tell me how they think of Dad when they pull out a piece of his work to use or they look around the church or lodge. It makes me smile and warms my heart to know that his spirit is in so many places.
He told me as I was getting close to retirement that I 
“need to keep busy”. He was a wonderful role model well into his mid-90’s, working on his stamps and doing embroidery. I am going to try hard to follow in his footsteps. He was loved by many and had a life well lived.
LIVING A LIFE
Dad loved teaching.
Dad with his younger brother Jim and older brother, Jack.
Always learning new ways to use his hands.
FAMILY
DICK & LOUISE CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS
Family
Mom & Dad enjoying the outdoors
The house Dick built
Cracking fresh crab. They loved their seafood.
CELEBRATING LIFE
CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY -2022
Visiting with the Iowa nieces & nephews.
Eating lutefisk at the Sons of Norway.
Christmas 2021 with his grandchildren.
Dad visiting Joel and his dogs.
CELEBRATING THE OLSON FAMILY REUNION IN 2016
Fun trip visiting with the cousins.
Dad enjoying a salmon dinner with Karl & Joanne
Dad telling stories with Jerry
Dad sharing a memory with Barbara
Thank you for taking the time to remember and celebrate “A LIFE WELL LIVED.”
to view a previous NESTER post about the Olson Family, – click here –
Lovely memorial
Oh I remember Dick from that Olson family reunion. I wish I knew then of all his interests and talents.. cool that a person of his gender and of his time would be so comfortable with embroidery and basket making. A really nice tribute. Thanks for sharing. Also I am going away for 3 months to so of Portugal on the seaside and then to Morocco also on the seaside. Maybe I can send a blog entry. Love, Nancy O
Such an interesting person and life! Thank you for sharing.
To Peggy,
What a marvelous tribute to your Dad. Dick, Much to digest .We hardly knew you!! And I have only myself to blame for not paying more attention to the Olson Family Tree. To my knowledge he outlived every one. I’m still here, but for how long = who knows.
Pleased you and Tim stayed connected. His BLOG , shared with Loelie has truned out to be a must read family chronicle. Hope to hear from you again.
Dich’s Cousin,
Dave