Richard Emerson Obituary

Richard R. Emerson, 80, was born in 1944 at St. John’s Hospital, Fargo, ND, to E. Howard Emerson and Mary Jane (O’Masta) Emerson. He graduated from West Fargo High School in 1962 and then attended Bemidji State College.

In 1970, Dick joined the Army reserves and left as a CW2 in 1982 as a Warrant Officer. Upon returning from basic training, he worked at his family’s business, the Hi-10 Steakhouse in West Fargo. It was there he met a waitress, Mary Hendrickson, and told her that if she was nice to him, he would let her take him out for breakfast after their shift at 1:00 AM – he bought. They were married on January 16, 1971, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Warren, MN. In 1972, their daughter, Lisa, was born and their son, Richard Ryan, was born in 1973.

Dick went to work for Bush Agricultural Resources in 1975, and he was instrumental in the construction and expansion of eight elevators. He worked with Judy Martz, Governor of Montana, to build a facility in Sidney, MT. He then returned to Helena, MT, on the governor’s private jet, where Governor Martz and Dick held a press conference at the State Capital building.

Dick received awards for his contributions to the barley industry from the Antera Seed Company, US Grain Council, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, North Dakota Barley Council and the National Barley Growers Association. He was also honored by the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.

In 2003, Dick became the Vice President of Barley Operation for Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, MO. In 2008, he retired from the company and returned home. He continued to consult for Riverland Grain and Briess Malting Company.

His greatest love was golfing, and he got four holes in one in his lifetime. His golf buddies were his heart.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary; his daughter, Lisa, who he fondly called “Daisy”; his son, Ryan (Becky); grandson, John Christianson; and granddaughter, Erica Christianson (Hunter Kluth); sisters in law Mary Margaret Emerson and Kay (Robb) Root; brothers in law Charles (Barb) Hendrickson, Hank (Barb) Hendrickson; and puppy, Callie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Howard “Butch” Emerson, Jr.

Richard Emerson of Fargo, ND, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at his home with his wife by his side caring for him along with a thank you to HIA Hospice for their support.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Fargo. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm Tuesday. His cremains will be interred in Warren, MN at a later date.