Richard Belden Huffman, son of Rollie C. and Genevieve (Brooks) Huffman, was born June 9, 1926 at Omaha, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Elgin, attended grade school at Elgin Public Schools and graduated from Elgin High School with the class of 1944.

On October 27, 1944, he was inducted into the U. S. Army. Rick received his basic training at Ft. Hood, TX and took part in the Philippine Liberation Campaign, where he was awarded the CIB and Bronze Star. After being discharged on November 17, 1946, he attended the University of Nebraska, Wayne State College, and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1950.

Rick was united in marriage to Joyce Lorraine Kinney on October 30, 1949 at the Park Congregational Church. The couple made their home in Elgin where Rick joined his grandfather in business at W.E Brooks Hardware, Furniture and Undertaking. In 1960, he purchased the business and operated it until 1970, when the hardware and furniture stores were discontinued and the mortuary was named Huffman’s Brooks Chapel. Rick purchased the Walter Snider Mortuary in Clearwater in 1965 and operated both mortuaries until he retired on October 1, 2007.

He served on both the village and school boards, was a past-president of the Elgin Commercial Club, past commander of American Legion Post 229, a charter member of VFW Post 5816, and served 30 years on the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department. He was a past master of the Antelope Lodge #276 A.F. and A.M. and a member of Damascus Commandery #20 Knights Templar and Sesostris Shrine Temple, treasurer of the West Cedar Valley Cemetery Association for many years, a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, and a member of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years.

Rick is survived by his wife J. Lorraine Huffman of Elgin; 5 children: Anna Dunbar of Denver, CO; Sarah Hutchinson and husband Jim of South Park, CO; Rollie Huffman and wife Lauri of Neligh, NE; Charles Huffman of Omaha, NE; and Betty Agens-Hanson of Pine, CO; 6 grandchildren: Richard Roth and wife Allison; Anna Strobel and husband Raleigh; Jacob Brooks Huffman; Alexander Earl Huffman; Samuel July Huffman; Henry Riter Agens III; Alta Melee Agens; 1 great-granddaughter: Macy Strobel; 1 sister-in-law: Janice Huffman of Valentine, NE; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William B. Huffman; 2 sons-in-law: Riter Agens and John Hanson.