Richard “Dick” Chaffee, 70, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in a Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin emergency room.

Dick was born in Austin, Minn., on Jan. 22, 1943, to Evelyn Marie (Peterson) Chaffee and Dorwin John Chaffee. He attended schools in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1961. Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged. On Jan. 21, 1967, he was united in marriage to Colette Frisk at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Austin. They recently celebrated 46 years of marriage. He worked for Sears and later at Hormel. Dick graduated from Mankato State University and soon after started his own marketing company.

He was on the Austin City Council for eight years, serving as council at large for several of those years. He was a 47-year member of the American Legion; he enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of the Austin Country Club, as well as the Eagles and the Moose, and looked forward to the Friday “Choir Practice” with friends and Saturday “Board Meeting.” He also belonged to several business organizations over the years. Dick was diagnosed in 2010 with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (scarring of the lungs, and no, he did not smoke) and despite having to use oxygen most of the time, he continued to golf and do as much as he possibly could with his family and friends. Although many days were a real struggle, he seldom complained. Dick had been confined to his home the past three months.

Survivors include his loving wife, Colette, Austin, Minn.; son, Rodney (Jenny) and grandchildren, Wyatte and Allison Chaffee, Fridley, Minn.; aunt, Dolores Judd, Austin; mother-in-law, Kathleen Frisk, Austin; sisters-in-law, Mary (Doug) Evans, Albert Lea, Minn., Juliana Frisk, Eagle Lake, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Michael (Linda) Frisk, Albert Lea, Minn., Thomas (Bonnie) Frisk, Mankato, Minn., John Frisk, New Ulm, Minn., Joseph Frisk, Austin; many cousins; nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his step father, Donald Trenary.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.