Richard 'Dick' Sobotka

Funeral Service for Richard "Dick"Lee Sobotka will be at 11:00a.m. Wednesday April 23, 2014 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Erik Bergquist officiating. Full military honors provided by American Legion Post 42 Honor Guard. Burial will take place in Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, WY with a luncheon to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Shelter. Visitation will be at 5:00p.m. To 7:00p.m. Tuesday April 22, 2014 at Gillette Memorial Chapel. In honor of Dick the family requests light colored attire. Richard Sobotka, age 82, of Gillette WY, passed away at Close to Home Hospice on April 18, 2014. Richard "Dick" Lee Sobotka was born on January 9, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Vladislav and Helen (Tomandl) Sobotka . He grew up in Lincoln Nebraska where he attended Prescott Elementary and Irvin Jr High. He attended Lincoln High School, where he graduated in 1949. Dick enlisted in the US Army in June 1949 and served in Korea November 1950 to November 1951. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in September 1952. He received the Korean Service Medal with four bronze service stars. Dick was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska as a youngster. He married Mathel Brown in Belton, Texas shortly after being discharged from the Army, and they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. There were five children born to this union. Dick was employed by Harold Hoskins and Associates Consulting Engineers. The marriage ended in 1961. He married Nyla Sherard in Casper, Wyoming in September 1966 while on a construction project and they moved back to Lincoln, NE in October of 1966. He became a stepfather to her three children. In 1969 the company name was changed to HWS Engineering Inc. and Dick was transferred to Gillette, WY to open a new office and manage the surveying department. Nyla died of cancer in January of 1984. In December 1984 HWS Inc. closed the Gillette office, not wanting to move anymore he ended his thirty year employment with them. In July 1985 he was employed by the City of Gillette Engineering Department and retired in January 1998. In 1994 Dick met Arlene Bryant and the two were inseparable and she became his life companion on May 22. Dick belonged to the Professional Surveyors Association of Nebraska and the Wyoming Engineering Society. He was also a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers Powder River Chapter. He served on the scholarship committee for several years, but his favorite project was helping students with the annual Mathcounts Competition. He served on the City of Gillette Public Works Board for several terms and the Campbell County Cemetery District Board for four years. He was also a member of the VFW. He enjoyed hunting for rocks in many areas of the state as he pursued his lapidary hobby. In later years he enjoyed growing tomatoes and cucumbers in his earth box. He belonged to First Horizon Club and enjoyed many trips and the fellowship of his many traveling companions. He was a lifelong, avid Nebraska Cornhuskers Fan and flew the Huskers flag every game day along with wearing his jersey and matching Huskers pants. Dick is survived by his partner in life of nearly twenty years Arlene Bryant of Gillette, WY; his son Steve (Monica) Sobotka; daughters Sharon Wood; Teresa Braud; Linda (Ron) Hosch and Glenda (Dale) McQueen; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren with one on the way all of Texas; stepdaughters Cindy Gablehouse and Melody (Jerry) Hiller and four step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren all of Nebraska; brother Duane (Dorothy) Sobotka of Richland, WA; sister Marie Braun of Lincoln, NE and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a baby sister Caroline, sister Janet and brother Stanley and step son Shannon Sherard of Lincoln, NE. A memorial has been established to benefit Campbell County Cemetery District for beautification at Mt. Pisgah. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in Dick's name in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com Funeral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716