With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Richard "Dick" C Urbanek of Clarkson, NE.
These words are offered in his memory — small, but heartfelt.
Richard held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
A life of belief is a life of quiet conversation with something larger.
Richard "Dick" C. Urbanek, 87, of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Monday, May 4, 2026, at Clarkson Community Care Center.Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at SS Cyril & Methodius Church in Clarkson with Fr. Rod Kneifl celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Clarkson Future Fund or the Clarkson Opera House.Richard “Dick” Charles Urbanek was born November 19, 1938, on the family farm in Stanton County to Joseph and Libbie (Cerv) Urbanek. He graduated from Clarkson High School in 1956 and went to Bailey Tech College in St. Louis, Missouri, where he studied diesel mechanics. He began working at Vacins in Clarkson in 1957, retiring in 2016.On October 20, 1959, Dick was united in marriage to Dorothy Nechvatal at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Heun, Nebraska. The couple were blessed with three sons and one daughter. Dick was very involved in the community of Clarkson. He served as the director of the Opera House, was assistant rural fire chief for 20 years and head chief for an additional 20 years. Dick was part of the Clarkson Rescue Squad from 1969 – 2010, taught gun safety for 40 years, was a member of the Clarkson Lions Club and Commercial Club.Dick was a family man who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Family vacations were taking the family on deer hunting trips, making sure that all his grandsons ended up with wall mounts. He was a faithful member of SS Cyril and Methodius Church.Dick is survived by: Wife – Dorothy Urbanek of Clarkson, NE; Son – Ken Urbanek of Clarkson, NE; Son – Mike Urbanek of Schuyler, NE; Daughter – Kathy Urbanek (Todd Westover) of Mitchell, NE; Six Grandchildren; 12 Great-Grandchildren; Brother – Robert “Bob” Urbanek of Clarkson, NEDick was preceded in death by: Parents – Joseph and Libbie Urbanek; Son – Keith Urbanek; Sister-in-law – Darlene Urbanek
