Richard Merchant

Richard was born on September 7, 1933 in Abercrombie Township to Cyril and Emily (Rezac) Merchant. He attended school in Galchutt, ND and graduated from Galchutt High School in 1951. He played baseball in high school which lead to a scholarship to attended Valley City State University. During this time he also served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. He then returned to VCSU and received this teaching degree in mathematics in 1957. He then went on to receive his master's degree from UND in 1966.

He was a teacher and principle for 20 years at schools in Michigan and Zeeland, ND and Perham, MN. In 1978, Dick bought the Farmer's Bar in Mooreton, ND and operated it until 1997. In 1989 he moved to Wyndmere, ND where he lived up to the present time.

Dick was known as an avid sports fan and went to as many games as he could, including the Minnesota Twins. Not only did he enjoy watching baseball but he was also a teacher of the game. He also enjoyed gardening, playing Santa for the grandkids, and driving his scooter around Wyndmere in later years.

Dick is survived by his special loving "Honey", Donna Shorma, Wyndmere, ND; his brother, Donald (Viola) Merchant, Abercrombie, ND; his two sisters, Maxine Strand, Kerrville, TX, Nancy Lunneborg, Hawley, MN; many nieces and nephews; and members of Donna's family who were very special to him and considered as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Merchant; his sisters, Margaret Johnson, Carol Leake; his brothers-in-law, Marvin Johnson, Robert Leake, Robert Strand, and Wayne Lunneborg.