Richard “Dick” C. Guckeen, 78, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, Friday, March 4, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Richard Carlyle Guckeen was born Feb. 12, 1938, in Austin, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Margaret (Mayer) Guckeen. He attended school in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1955. On June 4, 1982, Dick married Julie Munson at Crane Chapel in Austin, Minnesota.

Dick worked for the Mower County Highway Department for 33 years and Austin Cab and Ambulance for 37 years as an EMT. He volunteered for over 30 years at the Mower County Chapter American Red Cross, where, with Gerald Dimit and Norman Sollie, he started the local CPR training program. The trio received the Mower County Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award in 1986. Dick received the National Merit Award, the highest honor for saving a life, from the Mower County Chapter. He also worked for a short time at the Austin Daily Herald.

Dick loved being around people, especially when it involved helping others. Model railroading was a passion of his. Since retiring, he kept busy golfing, bowling at Echo Lanes and playing cards at the Mower County Senior Center. He enjoyed his morning breakfasts with the crew at McDonald’s and was a regular at Kenny’s Oak Grill. Those were times he didn’t like to miss. He truly loved volunteering at Austin Medical Center, working at the front desk, escorting patients, gathering wheelchairs, greeting and helping those entering the Clinic. He greeted everyone with a smile.

Dick touched the lives of many in Austin but always felt as if he was the one who was touched.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Julie Guckeen of Austin; son, Jeff Guckeen of Minneapolis; brother, Steve (Joan) Guckeen of Champlin, Minnesota; mother-in-law, Shirley Munson of Hollandale; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Rich) Howard of Hollandale, Minnesota, and Linda (Jeff) Mullenbach of Glencoe, Minnesota; cousins; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents.

Friends and family may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016, at Mayer Funeral Home, 600 Second St. NW, Austin, Minnesota, and after the service at the luncheon. The celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1600 West Oakland Avenue, Austin, Minnesota, with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Celebration arrangements are entrusted to Mayer Funeral Home. The family prefers memorials. Online Condolences-www.mayerfh.com.