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Richard Dale Hoogheem, age 74, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on April 13, 2021 following a 22 year battle with cancer. Rich was born June 28, 1946 in Willmar, MN to Dick and Elsie Hoogheem. The family later moved to St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood where Rich and his sister, Janet, were raised. After graduating from Wilson High School in 1964, Rich was drafted during the Vietnam war, completed basic training at US Army Training Center Fort Leonard Hood, Missouri and was stationed in Schweinfurt Germany. While on a short leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Bailey, on his birthday in 1967.

After his military service, he and Barb settled in St. Paul. They had three daughters, Carrie, Catherine, and Christine, and in 1975 moved to Chisago City to raise their family. Rich worked his way up in the construction and excavating fields and became Owner/Operator of Hoogheem Excavating in St. Paul. He was well known as an extremely skilled and hard worker with incredible attention to detail. Those who worked for Rich said he gave directions using mysterious hand signals the meaning of the which were only known to him. He served as a volunteer EMT for the Chisago Lakes Rescue Service for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and the MN Twins. He loved snowmobiling and was active on the trail crew for the Wild River Snowmobile Club. Known for his kind and gentle manner, he was generous and always happy to help others.
Rich took fashion advice from no one, and his signature look was his beloved Almelund Threshing Show cap, plaid shirt, and fashion-forward low slung pants.

He is survived by his wife Barb; daughters Carrie Benson (Dan), Cathie Lunzer (Robb), and Chris Yates (Doug); grandkids Tara (Johnny), Stephanie (Justin), Courtney, Tyler (Ashley), Emma (Sam), Jackson, Ruby, Finn and Vivian; great-grandkids Madison, Gwyneth, Evelynn, and Lucy; sister Janet Angelle; and nephew Jordan. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral to be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church 1 Summit Ave, Center City. Arrangements by Crescent Tide Cremation Services, 774 Transfer Rd, St Paul

Visitation at the church beginning at 10 am. burial to follow.

Funeral to be live streamed on youtube and facebook.

www.chisagolakelutheran.org

https://www.youtube.com/c/ChisagoLakeLutheranChurch

https://www.facebook.com/chisagolakelutheran/

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