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DR. RICHARD (DICK) DEARING
Born: Jun 28, 1937
Date of Passing: Jan 16, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDR. RICHARD (DICK) DEARING
On January 16, at Deer Lodge Centre, our dear dad, Dr. Richard (Dick) Dearing died.
He is survived by his children, Kevin (Susan Barnett) and Robin (Jason Noordman) Dearing and stepchildren, Geoff (Jill Cooper), Jacquie and Pauline (Darren Osadchuk) Ripat; his grandchildren, Ben, Maureen, Emma, Sam, Brandon, Kieran, Nicholas and Alex; and his favourite nieces, Janet and Jean Matzner and Julie Hoffmann.
Dick was born on June 28, 1937, in Lushton, Nebraska. He had two sisters, Peggy and Kay. During the war, the family moved to Florida where his father served as an airplane mechanic, before returning to settle in York, Nebraska.
Dick graduated from York High School in 1955 where he played for the Duke football team and worked many jobs after school - delivering papers, collecting bottles, working as a theatre usher and flipping burgers. After graduation he began working part time as a minister while doing a Bachelor of Theology degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University. He received his Master of Divinity at Iliff School of Theology in Denver and a Doctorate of Theology from Boston University. A good friend whom he met at Iliff (Harold King) recruited Dick for the University of Winnipeg’s Theology department in 1974. He was very proud of his work at the Interfaith Marriage and Family Institute - now Aurora Family Centre - which culminated in developing the internationally accredited Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the U of W.
While working on his first degree, Dick met Kristin Linn. They married in 1961 and later adopted two adorable children, Kevin and Robin. They lived in Thornton, Colorado before moving to Winnipeg in 1974. They settled in Fort Garry, separating in 1978. Dick eventually met Rosalind through Fort Garry United Church. They married in 1983 and Dick became a step-parent to Geoff, Jacquie and Pauline. They lived for 34 years on D’Arcy Drive where we have many great memories of Sunday dinners, lively pool games, and weddings.
Dick retired in 2003 to enjoy time with Rosalind, his hobbies and grandchildren. He loved watching his grandchildren’s hockey games, ski races, concerts, and musicals. He loved taking naps, woodworking, making stained-glass projects for family and friends, gardening, golfing, canoeing, visiting with friends and traveling with Rosalind. The two of them picked a big trip every year and saw many parts of the world before Rosalind was unable to travel. Dad took great pride in taking care of Rosalind and fully supported her choice to use MAiD.
Dad’s last few years with us were both quirky and sad. The steady decline of dementia was a long and winding road. We spent a lot of time trying to keep him with us for as long possible. He drove us crazy; he made us laugh and he never lost his gift of therapy language.
The family would like to thank all staff at Deer Lodge Centre, especially 3 East and Tower 6, for their exceptional care and respect for the residents with dementia and family members who support them. The staff’s willingness to call him “Dr. Dearing” put him at ease every day.
Dad, thank you for picking us and being the best father a kid could ask for. We will miss you.
A celebration of Richard Dearing’s life will be held at Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road on Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Throughout his life, Dad was a firm believer in serving the common good. He supported numerous charities and taught his children to do the same. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the United Way (which supports dozens of vital organizations) or any charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2024, Jan 20, 2024
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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So sorry Robin.... your Dad really sounds like he made a big impact on so many lives, and so happy he brought you into ours. - Posted by: Dave Benson (Friend) on: Jan 25, 2024
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Robin, I'm so sorry to learn of your father's passing. You've often spoken of what a kind, caring man he was and he's obviously passed that trait on to you. I love that he was Matthew 25:40 personified. The last years have been hard. Allow yourself time to grieve and remember the good times and heal. Much love, Shirley - Posted by: Shirley Vickery (Friend) on: Jan 22, 2024
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I got to know Dr. Dearing during his final journey at Deer Lodge When both Richard and my husband were still able to walk the halls, Richard would often pause and give Bruce a comforting pat on the shoulder. Please accept my condolences Laurel Mollison - Posted by: Laurel Mollison (aquaintence) on: Jan 22, 2024
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Sincere condolences to Dick and Rosalind's family. We remember fondly the happy times we spent with Dick and Rosalind throughout the years in Manitoba and on Vancouver Island. They were both people of exceptional integrity and talents. - Posted by: Judy and Dave Beer (Friends) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Our dad, Bob Burton, loved getting to know and spend time with Dick. He considered him to be a great friend and a wise counsellor. Dick was such a kind and generous man. Our family is thinking of all you. - Posted by: Lisa Burton (My dad was a family friend. ) on: Jan 20, 2024
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It was a great gift to know Dick in many capacities; as a colleague in ministry, as a counselling client and over the years I chaired the Faculty of Theology Council at U of W. He was able to accomplish so much while never, ever making it seem an intrusion to speak to him. Like so many, I was drawn to his deep faith, his aura of calm and his incisive mind. I am so grateful for his kindness and wisdom. - Posted by: Sharon L Wilson (Colleague) on: Jan 20, 2024
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So sorry to hear of Dick's passing, and our sincere condolences to his entire family. We were neighbours of Dick and Rosalind on D'Arcy, beneficiaries of Dick's professional help at Interfaith, and co-volunteers with him at Oak Table. His calm demeanor and sage words were a great comfort. He will be missed. - Posted by: Les & Terry Wiens (Neighbour & friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
