Richard Paul Kumpf was born January 27, 1936 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the youngest of three children born to Rev. Fred and Esther (Hoffmann) Kumpf.  He was baptized March 8, 1936 by his father at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Humboldt, South Dakota.  When Richard was 6 years old he moved with his family to rural Johnson, Nebraska where his father served as the pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church. Richard was confirmed by his father on March 18, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church.  He graduated from Johnson Public High School in 1954 and continued his education at Luther College in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; Peru State College and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. 

Richard was a math school teacher for 25 years.  His teaching career took him to the following schools in Nebraska: Cook Public School, Hooper Public School, North Platte Senior High School, and Fort Calhoun Public Schools.  In 1985, Richard made a career change and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas.  He moved to Auburn, Nebraska in 1986 and served as a funeral director for Casey-Witzenburg Funeral Home for 13 years, retiring in 1999.  He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in rural Johnson, serving on the church council and singing in the church choir. 
Richard enjoyed playing the euphonium and the tuba.  While in North Platte, he played with the North Platte Municipal Band and the Sandhills Symphony. He was a member of the Polka Pioneers Band in Fort Calhoun. In Auburn, Richard enjoyed playing with the Nemaha County Brass Quintet and the Southeast Nebraska Community Band. 

Richard passed away on May 22, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Center in Auburn, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of 81 years, three months, and twenty-five days.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law Winnifred and Rev. Donald Voigts. 

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Doris and Rev. John Keller of Wauwatosa, WI; nephews: David Keller of Pewaukee, WI; , Phillip Keller of Hot Springs Village, AR; Joel Keller of Woodstock, IL; nieces: Debora Voigts of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Rebecca Voigts Larson Kitchener, Ontario; Phoebe Voigts of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; other relatives and friends. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Johnson, Nebraska with Pastor Robert Rademacher officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017, at the Hall Funeral Chapel-707 15th ST. in Auburn, Nebraska.

Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church or to donor’s choice.
Online messages of condolence can be left at www.hallfuneral.net
Services are entrusted to Hall Funeral Chapel-707 15th ST., Auburn, NE 68305- (402) 274-3131