Rick Hessler

Richard “Rick” Hessler was born on October 16, 1946, to Adolph and Hazel Hessler. He passed away on June 24, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

Rick grew up on the family farm south of Hay Springs, Nebraska, on the Mirage Flats. He attended Hay Springs Schools and enjoyed playing football and baseball when he wasn’t farming. His love of the game would follow him the rest of his life. I’m guessing he has his feet up right now watching the Yankees play.

After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he was a walk-on for the Huskers. A broken arm would end his career, and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966. Rick spent the next four years stationed in England and different places around the world.

In 1969, after being discharged, Rick moved to Chadron, Nebraska, where he would join the American Legion Post #12 and enroll at Chadron State College. While at CSC, he studied business and once again joined the football team. After a couple of years, he decided to hire on as a dispatcher for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

Between work and school, he managed to get his degree from Chadron State. For the next 12 years, Rick would work for CNW, and somewhere in between, he would meet the girl he would spend the rest of his life with, Wanda Marie Mills (Moore). It was love at first sight, and in 1974, they were married at his childhood home south of Hay Springs. He would spend the next 54 years by Wanda’s side. During their marriage, Rick would adopt Wanda’s two children, John and Angela, and purchase the family home on Lake Street. Just a short time later, in 1979, they would welcome their son Benjamin into the world.

After the railroad closed its doors, Rick bought the Coast to Coast store in Chadron and reopened Hessler’s True Value. He would run this for a number of years until he decided to retire and focus his interests elsewhere. He would spend the rest of his years helping with the American Legion, Legion Baseball, yard work, and following his son Ben’s athletic career. He would also meet his lifelong friends Dennis Brown and Bruce Parish.

Rick was loved and will be deeply missed. Not only by friends and family, but also by the countless number of lives he touched by donating his time and volunteer work.

Rick is survived by his son’s John and Ben, his daughter Angela Toof, grandchildren Barbara Bohnenkamp, Matthew Hessler, and spouse Beth Hessler, Justin Toof and spouse Kay Toof, Jesse Toof, and Jolleen Toof. Great-grandchildren Tristan, Joclynn, Braxtyn, Hazel, Marty, Conor, Lydia, Delilah, Braylee, and Seth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Hazel Hessler, his brother William “Bill” Hessler, and most importantly, his loving wife, Wanda Hessler.

“Take care of mom, and we will see you soon. We love you.”