Richard "Dick" Altstatt

Richard "Dick" Altstatt, a loving husband, father, and respected member of his community, passed away on May 24th, 2023. He was born on September 2nd, 1934, in Breckenridge, MN to his parents Orval and Irene (Egge) Altstatt. Dick graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1952 after which he attended NDSU where he received his B.S. Degree in Pharmacy in 1957.

As a youth, he worked for many years as a stock boy at his father's drug store, and enjoyed it so much he entered college and enrolled in Pharmacy.  In 1958, Dick was called to serve his country in the US Army and served for two years stationed at the Panama Canal Zone. Upon returning home from his military service in 1960, Dick embarked upon his professional career as a pharmacist starting out working in Crookston, MN followed by working at Altstatt Drug in Breckenridge which was later purchased from his father. He owned and operated the store until retiring in 1989.

On August 10, 1962, he married the love of his life, Shirley Fleenor, in Fairmount, North Dakota.  The couple was blessed with three children, Chad, Ann, and Amy.  The family made their home in Breckenridge.  Dick and Shirley enjoyed spending time at their home in Sun City West, Arizona, and their lake home on Ottertail Lake, which he affectionately called "a little bit of heaven."

Dick had a passion for people and relished their energy. He was known for being happy with an unwavering level of patience and being quite the jokester never hesitating to bring a smile to anyone's face while sporting one of the best smiles himself you'd ever see. It was impossible to know if Dick was ever having a bad day.  He loved having a good time and had a great sense of humor.  His friends and family would affectionately call him "Dickie, Boom Boom, or Pooper."

Outside of work, Dick loved spending time indulging in activities such as fishing, golfing, hiking, and tending to his flower garden which brought him great joy. Some of his fondest memories included taking his grandkids around the golf course collecting golf balls, or taking them fishing.

As a member of Breckenridge Lion's Club, Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Pharmaceutical Association amongst others he had numerous accomplishments throughout his life that he cherished deeply.

Dick is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Chad Altstatt from Fargo ND; daughter, Ann (Howard) Andari from Prescott Valley, AZ along with their son Lee; daughter, Amy Altstatt from Sioux Falls SD and her children Ginger, Georgia, and Joseph Wardlow; his sister, Gayle Scheiterlein from Victoria MN, her daughter Tana Erickson; and sister-in-law, Harriet Fleenor from Wahpeton ND. 

Preceding him in death are his parents, Orval and Irene, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Scheiterlein and Claude Fleenor.