Richard J. Bachmeier

Richard J. Bachmeir, 88, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sept. 21, 2018.

He was preceded in death by a son, Gary.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Colleen; son, Tracy (Barbara); daughter, Paige (Louis) Falbo; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Rosemarie Zauner and Kathleen.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista.

Interment was at Rogers Cemetery, Rogers, Ark.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Bruce William Richardson

Bruce William Richardson of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died peacefully on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Northwest Arkansas Medical Center. He was 84 years old. Bruce was born December 18, 1933, in Atkinson, Nebraska, to loving parents, Margorie Henery Richardson and Fred Richardson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister and only sibling Elta Richardson and his dear wife Mary Smith Richardson, who died in March of 2007. He is survived by cousins Michael Henery of Omaha, Nebraska, John Post of Norfolk, Nebraska, and others.

Bruce spoke often about all the joys and tribulations of growing up in a small mid-western town, where you could run free but everyone knew who your parents were in case you got into trouble. Among his favorite memories of his teen years was working on the Clifford cattle ranch. As an adult he never tired of telling stories about the Cliffords whom he loved and admired, of the machinery, of flying the ranch plane, of the grass and the cows. With the encouragement of his father and the will to work his way through school, Bruce left Atkinson to attend the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Two years later he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served for two years in Germany with the 93rd Engineering Company (Float Bridge). After an honorable discharge, he graduated from the University of Denver.

A job at the General Motors Parts Depot in Denver led to an interview in Detroit and the beginning of his career with the Motors Holding Division of GM, and the eventual title of Real Estate Investment Manager. It was during the early part of his career that Bruce met and married the lovely Mary Smith who was a receptionist/secretary at a dealership in Albuquerque, N.M. Bruce's job required lots of travel and many moves. They transferred from Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills, Calif., to Dallas, Texas, to Cincinnati, Ohio, even to Detroit, Mich. Their last move was to Bella Vista, Ark., and retirement.

There followed years filled with lots of volunteer work and fun. He did a long stint as treasurer of the United Lutheran Church, many years on the Bentonville Hospital Auxiliary and a two-year appointment to the Arvest Bank Advisory Board. There was a golf group and many vacations were spent with Mary's sister and her family. Bruce was a proud Master Mason, Member of the Scottish Rite and Shriner of the Neosho Shrine Club, as well as a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was also a skillful motorcyclist of 40 years, finally buying a Goldwing custom trike at the age of 80. His love affair with GM cars lasted a lifetime, as did many of the friendships he made during his time there. Bruce loved to talk and make friends -- even in line at the local Walmart store. He was particularly fond of his friends in his neighborhood, at his church, in his motorcycle club and the gang at the gas station.

After his wife Mary's death, Bruce spent the last 11 years of his life with a dear partner and friend, Carol. They had many happy times and travels together. She and her five adult children loved Bruce. He was part of their lives and their family and he will be sorely missed.

There will be a memorial service for Bruce Saturday, October 13, at 11 a.m., at the United Lutheran Church, Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Arrangements are provided by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

PAID OBITUARY