Richard Lester Spiegel

Richard Lester Spiegel, 90, of Bixby, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 17, 2026. He was born on July 3, 1936, in Ocheyedan, Iowa, to Lester and Edna Spiegel and was the eldest of five sons. Richard graduated from Linn Grove High School in 1958 and soon enlisted in the United States Navy, beginning a distinguished 20-year military career. Rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), he served with Anti-Submarine Squadron 41 (VS-41) at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. A proud Vietnam veteran, he completed three tours in support of Vietnam-era operations before retiring honorably from the Navy in October 1979. The values that defined his military service—integrity, discipline, loyalty, and responsibility—remained the foundation of his life. On January 9, 1959, Richard married the love of his life, Alice Kay Spiegel, in the Navy Chapel at Brunswick, Georgia. Together they built a life centered on faith, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion while raising their three children: Rick, Tina, and Julia. Through the many moves and separations that military life required, their family remained grounded in love, perseverance, and commitment to one another. Following his Navy retirement, Richard began a second career with Memorex Telex in Tulsa before spending nearly 20 years as an instructor, where he found great fulfillment mentoring and teaching others before retiring for the second time. Richard will be remembered for his strong faith, quiet strength, adventurous spirit, and steadfast love for his family. Although he was proud of his military service and professional accomplishments, his greatest joy came from being “Gramps.” He delighted in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sharing stories, encouraging curiosity, and creating lasting memories. Richard’s legacy of service, integrity, humility, and love will live on in the family he cherished and in all those whose lives he touched. Richard was proceeded in death by his beloved wife Alice Kay Spiegel, his parents Lester and Edna Spiegel, in-laws Gordon and Dorothy Anderson, daughter in-law Julie Dawn Spiegel, grandson Levi Richard Spiegel, brothers Paul Spiegel, Roger Spiegel, and Earl Spiegel, sisters in-law Monte Spiegel and Georgeanna Spiegel, and nephew Scott McGregor. Richard is survived by his son Rick Spiegel, daughters Tina (Ralph) Stout and Julia (David) Brewer. Grandchildren Pina (Jacob) Mackey, Whitney (Cody) Spiegel, Curtis (Leslie) Bergeron, Elias (Bailey) Spiegel, Eryn (Ben) Smith, Jennifer Brewer, and Ryan Brewer, great-grandchildren Bryson and Seth Mackey, Evelynna, Malachi, Kendall, Ayla, Braylon, and Gideon Bergeron, Bruin and Frasier Smith, brothers Bill (Jean) Spiegel, and sisters in law Sharon Spiegel, Sue Spiegel, and Cheryl Dee (Jim) McGregor and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation for Richard will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday July 30th, at Leonard-Marker Funeral Home Bixby, Oklahoma. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday August 8th, Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar, Missouri. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery, Bolivar, Missouri.

Richard Lester Spiegel

July 3, 1936 - July 17, 2026