Richard Vinger

  Richard M. "Dick" Vinger, 86, Grand Forks, ND died Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Dick was born May 22, 1930 in Williston, ND the son of Olaf and Olive (Gilbertson) Vinger. He was raised in Wheelock, ND where he graduated from high school. He served in the Army in January of 1952 and returned to the family farm after his honorable discharge. One day Louis Bogan, the head coach for the University of North Dakota, approached him in the field and recruited him to play basketball for UND. While there, he captained the team for two years and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education. He later completed his Masters Degree as well. Dick spent most of his career as a teacher and coach, first in Kenmare, ND, and later in Rugby, ND until moving to Grand Forks in 1964. He taught and coached at South Jr. and, for many years, at Central High School. He retired from coaching in 1985, but continued teaching until his full retirement from the Grand Forks Public School System in 1989. He received numerous awards and championships during his coaching career. When asked the day before he passed, who some of his favorite players were, he said “I loved them all.” Dick continued to live in Grand Forks after his retirement from teaching, but worked for Dawson Insurance out of Fargo, ND. Dick was very much a sports enthusiast. He loved watching all sports from the high school level to the pros. He walked three miles a day, six days a week (taking only Sundays off) and was often seen picking up litter at Optimist Park. He was also active in United Lutheran Church and was involved with Home Delivered Meals for many years. But his greatest love was his family. Dick married Doris Nygaard Nedberg on June 14, 1968 in East Grand Forks, MN. She survives, along with children: Dianne Hutton (Peoria, AZ), Tim (Trish) Nedberg (Scottsdale, AZ), Brian (Cindy) Nedberg (Peoria, AZ), Karen (Jerry) Ryan (Grand Forks, ND), and Pam Lucarelli (Scottsdale, AZ); grandchildren: Chris (Melinda) Hutton, Janaya Goselin, Danielle (Cody) Schrader, Katie Nedberg, Lauren (Tarrin) Edvalson, Tanya (Aaron) Reinhardt, Angie (Cyndi) Nedberg-Freeland, Gerald Ryan, Daniel Ryan, Connor Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Rebecca (Derek) Mosloff, Johnathan Lucarelli, and Michael Lucarelli; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Blake, Maddie, and Alivia Hutton; Logan, Karter, and Evelyn Goselin; Preston and Kendall Schrader; Noah, Emma, and Zachary Reinhardt; Tanner Nedberg-Freeland; siblings: Orren, Larry, Dennis, and Russ Vinger, Carole Haug and Gayle Malwitz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Clifford and Myron Vinger, Marlene Dietz, Gene Hermanson; and grandson Benjamin Nedberg. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, July 29, 2016 in United Lutheran Church of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.