Richard L. Springfield
January 28, 1938 ~ October 12, 2011
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Richard L. Springfield, 73, passed away Oct. 12, 2011. Survived by his wife, Sandra Springfield; children, Bryan (Diane) Springfield of Alameda, Calif., Gary (Dayna) Springfield of Redlands, Calif., Karen (Mitch) Springfield-Verna of Pueblo and Leisa Payton of Denver and Christy (Jeff) Springfield of Roswell, Ga.; sisters, Bonnie Johnson of Springfield, Mo., Virginia (Bob) Ricky of Golden, Mo., Judy (Jim) Butcher of Pueblo and Sylvia (Virgil) Marsolf of Wichita, Kan.; grandchildren, Melissa and Sarah Springfield, Dante Verna, Giovanni Verna and Ana Springfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. Previous marriages were to Inge Springfield and Millie Springfield.
Dick was born to John and Gertrude Springfield on Jan. 28, 1938, in Wichita, Kan. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Dick entered the Air force in 1956, in Wichita, Kan., with his best friend, Jim Butcher. They were both placed in the new field of atomic bomber guided missile electronics. Dick entered the Real Estate business in 1962, in Pueblo with Arrow Realty. Dick learned Real Estate at the knee of Ben Crum, and they were then fast friends for 50 years.
Later Dick was the managing broker for the Sam Jones Agency. Dick along with Mario Bassi and Jack Cox formed Jadima Const. & Investment in the early 70's which became one of the largest builders in Pueblo. Paul Jones and Sam Sharpe came along and wanted to start a convenience store chain and call it the catchy name 'Loaf N Jug.' Jadima built and owned the Real Estate and half of the business of the first 30 stores. Jadima Construction also started the Sonic drive-in restaurant franchises in Pueblo and Denver. After selling the Loaf N Jug business and stores, Dick became a commodities broker with EF Hutton. He enjoyed the last 15 years of his working life owning Springfield Appraisal.
He was an accomplished instrument rated pilot, excelled at woodworking, made powered remote controlled model aircraft and became computer literate for his businesses before most people knew there was any value to computers. His hobbies were chess, golf and pool.
Dick was fortunate in his last months to have Sandee, his loving wife of 35 years, and longtime friend, Jim Mills, to care for him.
There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial service, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Rick Calhoun officiating. In lieu of food and flowers, memorials may be made Wayside Cross Mission or Pueblo Animal Services through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Gary and Bryan, I was so sorry to hear about your father.
Penny Garcia & family
Rest in Peace sir. you contributed a lot to Pueblo and others. I had the feeling i knew the name and sure enough i checked it out and saw LOAF N JUG. i knew the guys that started it and think of them each time i go to get gasoline here in lamar. and of course other place.
i tell the people that manage the stores to keep them clean, Sam and Paul would want that. just recalling the GOOD OLD DAYS. anyhow thanks for being there and take care on the other side. ive been there but had to come back. sooo peaceful there too. im jerry in lamar and thanks again.
Dear Sandy and family,
Dick had quite a life. What a nice obituary. I didn’t realize he had accomplished so much. He was always so nice to me…and was one of my first employers. I will remember him as always bright and energetic, happy and friendly.
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all.