Richard "Rick" Hummel, age 69 of Bismarck, formerly of Bottineau, died Saturday, March 16 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN.  His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 23 at 10:00 am at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Friday, March 22 from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan.

Richard James Hummel was born at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND on July 11, 1949. He was the second child born to James and Ethel (Yeager) Hummel. The family resided in the Garrison, ND area until moving to the farm near Max, ND in 1957. Rick was a typical mischievous boy on the farm, spending his days riding his horse "Poco" and growing up with his siblings. He attended Max Public School and then moved to the Minot Air Force Base with his sister Mary before joining the work force. Rick joined the Job Corps and was stationed in Kentucky where he earned his GED and valuable job skills.

Rick joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967. He served in Vietnam from June 1968 to October 1970 as a military police officer. He earned rank of sergeant prior to the time of his honorable discharge. Prior to Rick's time in Vietnam, he met his future wife, Marlys Huettl, at the water well in Max. Upon his return from Vietnam, Rick and Marlys were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Max on November 13, 1971. During the first year of their marriage Rick and Marlys lived in Bismarck.

The couple later moved to Garrison where Rick worked as a maintenance technician with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. In 1973 he began North Dakota Law Enforcement Peace Officers Training. Rick earned his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice through Minot State University and Bismarck Junior College in 1975. He worked as a sheriff's deputy and sergeant with McLean County until 1980 when he entered the North Dakota Highway Patrol Academy.

Rick and Marlys welcomed three children, Lea, Aaron and Alyson before moving the family to Bottineau, ND in the fall of 1980. Rick was stationed in Bottineau for his entire 25 year career as a North Dakota State Trooper with unit number 305. Rick retired from the NDHP in 2005. He immediately began his duties as the Bottineau County Emergency Manager. He served in this capacity until 2017. During these years, he was President of the North Dakota Emergency Managers Association and worked as a consultant providing emergency and safety training for first responders and schools throughout North Dakota. Marlys passed away on April 20, 2017 after a short battle with cancer. It was later that year Rick moved to Bismarck.

Civic duties were important to Rick. He served as Municipal Judge for the city of Bottineau, was a member of the ND Peace Officers Association, Knights of Columbus, AMVETS, VFW, and American Legion. He was also an active member in his church community.

Rick enjoyed traveling in more recent years. He took any opportunity to hunt, fish, and camp. He loved the serenity of a calm lake and a campfire. He could often be found sitting around a table with friends and family enjoying his cup of coffee while visiting. He loved the joy children brought to his life. He was an amazing uncle to many and grandpa to 7.

For several years, Rick silently battled a blood disease which eventually required a stem cell transplant in August 2018. He fought hard to recover from the successful transplant and its challenges. Unfortunately he succumbed to respiratory complications due to influenza, passing peacefully with his 3 children by his side on March 16.

Rick is survived by his father James Hummel of Garrision; Children Lea and her husband Bryan Floberg of Richardton, Aaron and his wife Leah Hummel of Bismarck, Alyson and her husband Brendon Parsley of McVille; Five Grandsons; Spencer and Preston Floberg, Micah and Evan Hummel and Keegan Parsley. Two Granddaughters Shelby Floberg and Rylan Parsley.

Siblings: Mary (Gary) Angell, Garrison; Craig Hummel, Garrison; Peggy Moran, Garrison; Susan Ekstrom, Garrison; half-sister Lois (Gary) Anderson, Indiana. In-laws Judy Peterson, Minot; Rita Stumvoll, Coleharbor; Janice Fetzer, Garrison; Lois (Ray) Kuntz, Pequoet Lake MN; Curt (Sharon) Huettl, Mandan; Warren (Kathy) Huettl, Max; Melissa (Guy) Hatlestad, Newtown. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlys; mother, Ethel; sisters Janet Foster and Betty Hummel; infant brother, James Kent Hummel.

Memorials are suggested to: Bottineau County Veterans or Gift of Life Transplant House, Rochester, MN.