Politics
Richard is not shy in telling anyone he is a Democrat. He has served as Dodge County chair, state central committee member, chair of the state platform committee, and chair of the state convention. He has walked parades, precincts, made calls, put on banquets and contributed to candidates and was even a candidate for legislature himself in 1992. His most recent effort was for his wife Janet Stewart, who ran for U.S. Congress in 2004.
He remembers one Dodge County dinner he organized honoring his neighbor, Ruby Precht. Ruby was more than 100 years old at the time. She had the privilege of voting during the first election when women were able to vote, and had voted Democratic ever since. Senator Ben Nelson awarded her a certificate that honored her special place in our country’s history. A few years later, Richard had to smile while attending Ruby’s funeral. The certificate from Senator Nelson and flowers were the only decorations – hers was commitment to the end.
