Richard Navratil

Dick Navratil was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to Verla and Joseph Navratil in 1951. He passed away at home in the arms of his loved ones on August 1, 2024 after a two year battle fighting pancreatic stomach cancer. He was a warrior. He spent his youth in Crete, Nebraska, played baseball in the schoolyard, rode bikes with baseball cards in the spokes and caught fireflies at night with his older sister, Linda and his younger brother, Doug. He shared fond memories of playing with neighborhood kids on summer evenings…especially the Coffeys. The three siblings went to Catholic schools together, did chores such as peeling potatoes and mopping floors at the family tavern/diner. He was the kind of brother that they both looked up to. He loved spending time at his grandparents’ farm in Valpariso, Nebraska. Many of his happiest memories tell of adventures with cousins, picking mulberries, and Grandma Lillie’s fried chicken and sugared rice. Dick was very proud of his Czech heritage and enjoyed traditional Czech dishes such as roast duck, dumplings, and kolaches. He even made his own sauerkraut. He and Heather had wonderful trips to Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Italy, cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and down European rivers. After graduating from Crete High School, Dick attended Milford Technical College, where he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Arts and Building Construction Technology. Upon graduating, he moved to Fort Collins, Colorado and worked for custom home builders including Carl Nelson, Homes by Holz, and Aspen Construction. In 1986, he went to work in the carpentry shop for Poudre School District. He designed and built custom cabinets, miles of computer tables, desks for handicapped students and many trophy cases throughout the district, until his retirement. Heather and Dick were introduced in 1976 at a party (preplotted by friends). They shared so many interests, including hiking, fishing, and concerts at Red Rocks. Heather loved to cook and Dick loved to eat…it was a match made in heaven. They were married in 1978 and they have been soul mates and best friends ever since. They were married 46 years and shared the same birthday. Dick enjoyed dancing; country swing, square dance, waltz, polka, foxtrot and tango. He was never shy about being the first one on the floor, telling people, "Dancing is not a spectator sport." Both loved to travel in their Chevy conversion van, “Big Brown”. People would tell them, “We saw you at such and such a place.” One summer they drove 9,700 miles from Colorado to the east coast. They went from Virginia to New York City to see the Yankees play baseball, and on to Maine and Canada. Heading home they stopped at Gettysburg and Antietam, then over to Portland, Oregon and on to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1987, their son Scott was born. Dick adored that little boy, teaching him to dunk Oreos, play baseball, and ride his bike. They cross country and downhill skied together and enjoyed attending Rockies baseball, as well as Nebraska football games. Dick was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker, win or lose. He usually wore his Nebraska hat and Big Red gear, no matter the season. He would talk to Nebraska fans in stores and tell them “GBR” (Go Big Red) and “Keep The Faith.” He started each day checking updates on the Husker website and spent many happy hours talking with his nephew, Chris, about upcoming recruits and games. Hunting and fishing were a big part of Dick’s life. His father-in-law, Frank, was so pleased to have him as a hunting buddy. They trailered their mules with the turquoise blue Ford and drove them over Monarch Pass to Crested Butte. What stories they told about packing in 7 miles and setting up their hunting camp in the high country. Dick also enjoyed the family cabin until it burned in 2020. He played baseball from the time he was 8 years old playing on the Crete Town Team and at Milford Trade School. In Fort Collins, he played fast pitch softball with Mile High, Moose Lodge and Hofbrau teams. Dick was a cabinet maker, carver of decoys, and loved to be out in his shop building Windsor chairs and turning bowls on the lathe. He made lots of “man glitter” (sawdust). Dick was also a member of the Buckeye Community Club. A special “thank you” to Doc Carter, his lathe mentor. Many wonderful pets shared his life from childhood guinea pig, Smokey, Rado, his first golden retriever, many kitties, to his special cat, Rooster, who would walk the fence and ride to the barn on Dick’s shoulder. His current golden retrievers, Kemper Fi and Gunner have added much joy to his life. He had the pleasure of the company of his five mules, Radar, Zeke, Bunny, and Lefty. On this last Wednesday afternoon, he rode his mule, Tillie, around the pasture with a village of people that cared about him walking alongside. Todd Helton, the Rockies player, was an athlete Dick admired. In 2008, visiting Cooperstown, he said, “If Helton ever makes it into the Hall of Fame, I want to be there!” It was a highlight on his bucket list to be in New York on July 21, 2024 (Dick’s birthday) with Heather and his brother to enjoy the induction. His parents passed away before him as did his son, Scott (2020). Dick is survived by his wife, Heather, sister Linda Sweetland (Bob), brother Doug (Deb), nephews Chris Sweetland (Angela), Rob Sweetland (Jill), niece Lisa Davis, numerous great- nieces and newphews, along with cousins Kirk, Tim, Pam, and Sandy. A special thanks to great- nephew Ben, who helped care for Dick. The family wishes to thank the nurses and Dr. Mathews at the Harmony Cancer Center as well as Dr. Rellas. You were our ‘family’ for almost two years. Your compassionate care and ever present smiles helped to sustain us. In lieu of flowers, Dick requested that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, as he did not want children to suffer as he did. He said he had been able to grow up and have a great life and wanted them to have that opportunity. Donations may also be made to Crete High School in Crete, Nebraska to award a scholarship in his name to graduating seniors to attend Milford Technical School. He wanted to encourage young people to enter careers in the trades. Please send in care of: Dick Navratil Scholarship, Crete Public Schools Foundation 930 Main Ave. Crete, Nebraska 68333 “G B R”