Richard (Dick) Irving Bleidt, 94, of Lakewood, Colorado passed away at home on January 31, 2022.

Richard was born in Chicago, IL on May 30, 1927 to Ida (Milbrandt) and Irving Bleidt. After graduating high school in May of 1945, he enlisted in the navy. He served overseas on the US escort carrier Bairoko (CVE-115) until August of 1946, during which time he earned a World War II Victory Medal, an American Area Ribbon, and an Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal.

Upon returning to Chicago, a poorly aimed snowball introduced Richard to his future bride. He married Beverly Louise Hicks on September 11, 1948. To his great joy, Richard's four eldest children were born in Chicago in the following years. It was also during this time that he began a 37 year career with the Bell Phone Company.

In 1958 Richard and his family moved to Golden, Colorado. He often said to his children, "The best thing your mother and I ever did was move to Colorado." That first Christmas after the move, the kids awoke to find 6 pairs of wooden skis under the tree. Over the course of the next few years, Richard and Beverly completed their family with the addition of two more daughters. They also provided lodging for many students from the Colorado School of Mines, who were always treated like part of the family. In 1978 Richard and Beverly moved to Lakewood, Colorado. Afterward, Richard retired from the phone company and spent the next 15 years working with his family.

He worked with his son at PBC construction, with his daughters at the Heritage Square Alpine Slide, and with his wife, driving school buses for Jefferson County. Richard was a very supportive and involved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He coached his sons in basketball and baseball, and his daughter and granddaughter in softball. He was president of the Girls Softball League of Jefferson County from 1967-1969. When he wasn't coaching, he was always on the sidelines or in the audience, cheering on his family at games, meets, concerts, plays, and graduations.

Richard loved spending time outdoors with his family. In the summers he started out teaching his children how to ride bikes, camp and fish, and then expanded to canoeing, windsurfing, water skiing, and golfing. During the winter, he'd be out skiing, sledding, and playing in the snow with his children and grandchildren. He was the coolest grandpa on the block, going out rollerblading, ice skating, and sailing with his grandkids well into his 70s.

Any time there was a long drive to these activities, Richard would fill the car with song. He'd have everyone smiling, laughing, and singing right along with him. One of Richard's favorite hobbies throughout his lifetime was playing card games. He would play on breaks with his coworkers, host large family game nights, and attended a weekly bridge game for many years. He was always willing to teach someone a new game. He was also very good, so you had to be prepared for a bit of a trouncing whenever you played against him. Richard was also a phenomenal handyman. He was knowledgeable about everything in his house from the car to the electrical and plumbing. Not only did he take it upon himself to keep his home in good repair, he spent much of his time helping friends and family build and remodel their own homes. He was an avid reader, a sports fan, a Blue Bloods aficionado, and he always stayed up to date on current events.

He is survived by his children, Deborah Hottinger, Paul (Marti) Bleidt, Claudia (Ransom) Fitch, Peter (Gail) Bleidt, Beth (Walter) Graf, and Kathy Bohks. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and one niece and nephew. Richard was preceded in death by Beverly, his wife of 65 years, his son-in-law Kenneth Hottinger, and Margaret Warren.

Richard was a wonderful man and he will be so greatly missed. He was our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend.

A Celebration Of Life will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Table Mountain Inn, 1310 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401. Doors will open at noon, and the celebration will begin at 12:30pm. There will be a reception following the service.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Richard, please choose your favorite charity and make a donation in his name.