Obituary of Richard Getz

GETZ, Richard

1944 - 2023

We are saddened by the loss of Richard Getz, of Regina, SK, on  Thursday, May 4, 2023.

Born October 3, 1944, in Vibank, Richard lived all 78 of his years to the fullest.

He spent much of his working life in public service. He served three years in the Royal Canadian Navy—his ship was five hours from sailing to Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis—during his younger years.

He later worked in and around the garage for the City of Regina in multiple roles including mechanic and retired in 2000 after 32 years.

Richard took full advantage of hitting Freedom 55; his retirement had as much activity as many people’s working lives. But he maintained the need to tinker and fix with anything on wheels even when it was just a hobby. He brought new life to plenty of cars and snowmobiles through the years. And he was known to enjoy Christmas toys even more than, or at least before, the kids who received them and may have spent a few Boxing Days fixing what got broken on the 25^th.

A consummate outdoorsman, he loved camping (the bigger the campfire the better) and tending to his green thumb in the garden and every inch of the living room window. Actually, most windows and under a grow light or two.

Sports were always a part of his life, as a player and a fan. Richard curled in a Regina league for 48 years before the league changed venues and his loyalty to the Tartan kept him from making it to 50 years of throwing rocks. You could often find him watching a game, whether it was curling, the Jays, or the Riders.

He loved to see new places and made the most of his retirement, travelling with Nadine. From road trips and timeshares to cruise ships and house boats, there were many adventures, domestic and abroad.

Rarely at a loss for words, Richard could befriend—or at least have a hearty conversation with—just about anyone. He often came home from their travels with new friends, and certainly plenty of photos.

Richard was predeceased by his parents Lawrence Joseph and Ann (nee Ripplinger) Getz, and siblings Jerry (Gloria) Schlosser, Adam Schlosser, Dolores (Jack) Olsen, and Eletha Olsen.

He is survived by his daughter, Sundee (Danny) Zurowski, and her three children Dallas, Chase (Sydney), and Tyson (Allee); his wife, Nadine, and her children Jeffry (Bethanie) and Tiffany (Christopher), and grandchildren Edward, Olivia, Bradley, and Theodore; in-laws Frank Olsen and Joanne Schlosser; and many beloved (grand) nieces and nephews including Terry (Karl) Bzdell, and her children and grandchildren Cody (Julia) and Coraline, Jesse (Katelin) and Skylar, Cali and Sasha Berriault, and Corey (Fran) Schlosser, and their children and grandchildren Michelle (Neil) and Wesley Scherle, and Ryan Schlosser.

A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the Speers Family Centre, 2333 Cornwall St, Regina, SK.

 In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Regina Humane Society, P.O Box 3143, Stn Main, Regina, SK. S4P 3G7.

 They also wish to extend their gratitude to the many wonderful staff in the cardiac and SICU units at Regina General Hospital for the care they provided.