Graveside service with full military honors for SSG (Retired) Richard Nicholas Bjork will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma with Chaplain Randy Bolton of the Lawton Fort Sill Veteran's Center, Lawton, Oklahoma officiating.

SSG (Retired) Richard Nicholas Bjork, 89, gained his wings on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Lawton Fort Sill Veterans Center. Born on January 13, 1935, in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, to Adolph Wilhelm and Martha Inga (Kraemer) Bjork, he was the third of nine children and spent his early years in Mason and Grandview, Wisconsin. A proud patriot, Richard enlisted in the United States Army in 1955, dedicating 20 years to service. His assignments took him twice to Korea, as well as to Vietnam, Argentina, and Panama, culminating in his retirement at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1975.

On March 14, 1959, Richard married the love of his life, Doris Ann House, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Together, they built a loving family, raising four children: Tawna (Mike) Harrison of Newcastle, Oklahoma, Shawn (Gail) Bjork of Lawton, Oklahoma, William Steve Bjork, and Rikki (Stacy) Sawyer of Apache, Oklahoma.

Richard was known for his love of coffee, fishing, woodworking, and puzzles. He enjoyed making latch hook rugs, teaching his grandchildren life skills, and spoiling his loyal dog, Tramp. He cherished swapping stories with friends Perry Woods, Phillip Flaig, Bill Richardson, and his fishing buddy, Rick Morrison.

Richard's legacy lives on through his wife, Doris; his children, Tawna, Shawn, and Rikki; his 14 grandchildren—Eric, Brandon, and Johnathan Morrison, Rebekah Reed, Austin Bjork, Kristen Heath, Thor and Garrett Bjork, Eli Keene, Jamie Martinez, Nicholas Martinez, Sonny Allen, Brianna Wilcox, and Peyton Sawyer—and 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Arthur (Barb) and Bill (Darlene) Bjork; sisters, Karen Scheibe and Norma (Richard) Mellinger; and many extended family members.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved son Steven Bjork; his mother-in-law, Gladys M. Adams; and his siblings Donald and Karl Bjork, Marion Burton, and Wilma Fleming.

His strength, wisdom, and humor will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions be made to any organization helping disabled veterans or the charity of your choice.