Richard B. Halverson

DULUTH -- Richard Blair Halverson, 82, Duluth Heights, died Friday, April 4, 2003, of cancer at home.

He was born Feb. 10, 1921, in Brainerd to Clifford and Esther Wilkes Halverson. He graduated in 1940 from Washington High School in Brainerd where he was junior class president and a member of the National Honor Society. From 1943-1946, he served as a pilot in fighter aircraft in the Army Air Corps, and later as a B-29 flight engineer. He married Elaine Schwindeman Feb. 5, 1944, in Montgomery, Ala. After World War II, they moved to Duluth, and built a home in Lakeside. In the late 1940s, he trained as a sheet metal journeyman. After working briefly for Ostby Ventilating, he was hired by A.G. O'Brien Plumbing and Heating, where he was employed until his retirement in 1984. He was a caller at square dances. He and his wife were involved in the Duluth Area Square Dance Federation and "Shindig" for many years. In the 1970s, they became involved in the Amway business. They moved to Duluth Heights in 1974.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Carol Skoglund, Duluth, Mary Smith, Brooklyn Park, and Jane Halverson, Maple Grove; three sons, Tom Halverson, Ramsey, Robert Halverson, New Hope, and Joe Halverson, Maple Grove; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Wallace, Duluth; and a sister, Lois Nettleton, Proctor.

A brother, Robert, died earlier.

A celebration of his life was today at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Duluth.

Arrangements were with Dignity Memorial in Duluth.