NEWTON - Richard Rowland "Dick" Bridgewater, 73, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Via Christi, St. Francis, Harry Hynes Hospice Inpatient Unit, Wichita.

Dick was born September 6, 1935, in Hutchinson, the son of John Wesley and Grace A. Rowland Bridgewater.

On Dec. 2, 1955, he married Karen Lee Hollowell at South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, South Hutchinson.

Survivors include: wife of 53 years, Karen, Newton; loyal dog, Maude; sons, Randy and wife, Jeanne, Edgerton, Robert and wife, Sandee, Springdale, Ark., Mitch, Ottawa; daughter, Missy Friesen, Inman; mother-in-law, Lola Hollowell, Inman; brother, Jim and wife, Betty, Mexico, Mo.; sisters, Carol and Jim Herrman, Derby, Terry and Darrell Flaming, Nappanee, Ind.; sister-in-law, Ruth Bridgewater, Carrollton, Texas; grandchildren, Jayde and Amber, Alicia, Nathan, Sara, Kehl, Kyndel, Ethan, Nicholas, Cody, Michelle and Mickayla; eight great-grandchildren; 16 nieces and nephews; and other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John F. "Jack" Bridgewater.

Funeral service 2 p.m. Friday at Union Valley Bible Church, 1916 E. 30th Avenue, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson. Graveside service will follow in Mitchell Cemetery, rural Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Union Valley Bible Church, 1916 E. 30th Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67502, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market Street, Wichita, KS 67202.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal condolence.