Richard Russell Nyman
April 4, 1944 ~ October 29, 2019
Dr. Richard Russell Nyman died on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
Dick was born on April 4, 1944, in Duluth, Minnesota. He was the son of Elma Marie Maki Nyman and Walter Mat Nyman. He was raised on the hillside of central Duluth, where he actively ran a paper route throughout his youth and made friends with many of his patrons.
Dick was a 1962 graduate of Duluth Central High School, where he was a three sport athlete, an all city football player, and a state qualifier in both swimming and track. Dick attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1968. He met his wife Beverly Johnson at the University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Dental Corps after graduation and served two years at Ft. Carson, Colorado.
Upon completion of his army duties, Dick bought a dental practice in Forest Lake, Minnesota. In 1970 Dick and Bev purchased a home in Chisago City where they raised their children and lived for 45 years.
During his working years, Dick was an active Rotarian and past president of the Minnesota Academy of General Dentistry. He established a second practice in North Branch until his retirement from dentistry in 2007. After retirement, Dick and Bev moved their primary residence to Surprise, Arizona and also bought a home in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Most people knew Dick as an entrepreneur and a very creative individual. He was especially known for building, owning and operating giant slides at state fairs in four different states, a very fun and adventurous side business for our family.
Dick is survived by his wife, Beverly; his three children, Matthew (Anjuman) Nyman, Jeanne (Adam) Braden, and Laura (Gabe) Osten; and his seven grandchildren, Em, Sidney, Anya, Luke, Evelyn, Rohan and Trygve; dear cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Vincent Sersic; and his older sister, Mary Nyman Anderson.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held 11 AM Monday, November 4th with visitation one hour prior to the service at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake. Private interment at St. Croix Cemetery in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.
Memorials preferred to Lutheran Social Service of the Southwest, 2502 E. University Drive, Suite 125, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
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We are very saddened to have lost dick and are sorry for not being there but will always remember his vibrant personality and love for everyone we will miss him and for ever we wanted him to visit India We pray to god to give strength to Bev to bear the loss and courage to lead her life nicely in his memory Love Savita and Aditya
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Richard’s military service to our country in the Army. It will be a privilege to do his military funeral honors.
I worked with Richard at the Okie Zip Giant Slide at the Oklahoma State Fair. Great guy and great businessman.
Rich and I met at UMD as fellow students. When we returned to Minnesota and Forest Lake, he became our family’s dentist. We shared many life and family events over the intervening years. Our son, Rick, Forest Lake’s police chief, is named “Richard Russell” Our condolences to Rich’s family. Russ and Julianne Peterson
I went all through high school with Dick,we were in the same homerooms for many years, he was a very special person and I will miss him, Dick rest In Peace, your friend Karen Olson sohlstrom
One of my fondest memories of Dick happened at the Oklahoma State Fair, where I was lucky enough to help with the Slide in a barter exchange for dental work from Dr. Nyman. One morning, Dick asked me to help him change several light bulbs located high above the Slide entrance. We set up the tall ladder, and Dick climbed all the way to the top. I grabbed a few bulbs, put them into a little box, and started to climb up the ladder to hand them to Dick. He stopped me right there and said “Oh no, I need you to throw the light bulbs up to me from the ground. And don’t worry if we break a couple of them in the process.” I will always admire Dick’s ability (and overall approach) to turn an otherwise routine task into something with a special and memorable twist. And none of the light bulbs were broken.
I just found this obituary online tonight as I was searching for info on Richard. I am the buyer of the Okie Zip slide that was at the Oklahoma State Fair for many years. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but we had several phone conversations about the Okie Zip. After reading the comments and the obituary, it strengthened my belief that he was indeed an extraordinary person… As for the slide that I bought and he obviously loved, I have run into various obstacles since I bought it 11 years ago but now have started to get it built back. Hopefully by August 2020, our next fair, it will be running in his memory… My condolences to his wife and children and other family and friends…. Rest in Peace,, Richard !
Dick was a beautiful caring person. He always had something interesting to share and Bob and I always enjoyed visiting with him. Bev, we are so sorry for your loss and our hearts grieve for you.