Richard Goetzfried

Richard Goetzfried, 70, Bismarck, passed away January 5, 2019, at Sanford Health, from complications surrounding cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, January 11, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Gene Lindemann officiating. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service at Parkway Funeral Service.  Per Richard's request, cremation has taken place. Rich was born July 24, 1948, in Dickinson, ND, to Anton and Celia (Stockness) Goetzfried. He was raised in Dickinson and later moved to New Salem where he attended school. He married Pat Thomas on June 22, 1968, in Bismarck. They had one son, Michael. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018. Rich spent much of his career working in the automobile industry, transitioning into the auto warranty insurance field. He and his family moved to Montana for three years where Rich started his auto warranty company throughout the entire state. In 1985, he moved back to Bismarck and continued his warranty business. He was an avid deer and goose hunter. He loved fishing and lived for golf. Rich spent 18 years at his cabin at Brush Lake where he served as president of the Brush Lake Cabin Owners and the Mercer Brush Lake Community Association. He enjoyed the pontoon rides around the lake with friends, family, and especially his grandchildren. Rich was known for always having a good story and joke to tell. He was also known for his generosity.   If a person didn’t have a place to go for a holiday, Rich made sure there was a place at his table. He enjoyed meeting his coffee buddies at Kirkwood Mall every morning and playing cards in the afternoon. Rich is survived by his wife, Pat; his son, Michael (Danielle); grandchildren, Logan and Bryn; sister, Annette Rud; brothers, Tony (Judy) and Darrell (Karen); sister-in-law, Jan Arman; brother-in-law, Joe (Nancy) Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Celia; baby granddaughter, Riley; father and mother-in-law, John and Ann Thomas; brothers-in-law, Curt Rud and Darrell Arman; and numerous aunts and uncles.