"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs: 3:6).

Richard H. Bristol died in Superior, Nebraska, on June 13, 2026.

He was born August 28,1947 in Mankato, Minn., into a family that valued learning. His parents, Robert and Ruth (Buckeye) Bristol, were both teachers. His grandmother was the first female Superintendent of Schools in Heron Lake, Minn. Richard was a middle son whose two brothers also became teachers. He attended grade school in Judson, Minn., and in the third grade his family moved to Tucson, Ariz.

He earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Arizona-Tucson and a master's degree in animal science with a focus on ruminant nutrition in beef cattle. He knew he wanted to use his knowledge to help others.

Graduate degree in hand, he headed back to Minn. to help on his uncle's farm. One day his path brought him to the home of Joanna Olson and her five children (Ages 7 – 21). The youngest, Christopher (age 7, whom he later adopted), sized him up and invited him in for coffee. It wasn't long before Christopher asked, "Do you mind if I call you dad?" Fueled by their love for each other and a good challenge, Richard and Joanna married on August 6, 1976 (he was 28; she was 39). He believed: "My wife's kids are my kids – this is bedrock in our relationship." He never wavered in that belief and his generosity.

The family moved to Columbus, Neb., for his first job with Farmland Industries. More jobs and moves followed: Genoa, Neb., Aurora, Neb., Tyndall, S.D., and back to Nebraska to Red Cloud and Hebron, and Des Moines, Iowa. He recently said of his wife, "Joanna has gone wherever my career needed to take us. She has been supportive. I owe her my life."

Over his 40-year career as an animal nutritionist he saw all aspects of the animal agricultural industry and its evolution. His career took him from calling on farmers in the fields of Nebraska to large feedlots and co-ops. He ran sales and industry meetings and lectured at colleges. Along the way he was honored to have remarkable colleagues and bosses who became close friends.

He spent 10 years in management as nutritionist for the Aurora Cooperative, one of the busiest co-ops in Nebraska. He returned to sales, recruited by Supersweet Feeds, then worked for Consolidated Nutrition and Custom Blenders of Iowa. His sales philosophy was simple: "I believed if I could help the farmer do a better job of feeding his animals to improve their performance and make him more money, he would buy feed." He became a trusted advisor.

He spent the last decade of his career at ILC Resources in Des Moines, a leading supplier of calcium carbonate for animal nutrition. As director of nutrition and technical services, he introduced ways to help clients and the company. He authored Mineral Writes, a quarterly publication full of nutritional insights for the feed industry.

He also met with many large clients, including an egg-laying operation in the upper Midwest that had the exclusive market for all McDonald's locations west of the Mississippi. He presented nutritional formulas that aided in eggshell formation in a hen's diet. The meeting went well. Later, he smiled every time he ordered an Egg McMuffin.

Richard loved the challenge of the diversity of livestock: swine, beef cow/calf, dairy cows, sheep, horses, turkeys, layers and broilers. One afternoon he got a call from the chief vet at the Houston Zoo. She wanted to know what the calcium requirements were for elands, a large African antelope.

While at ILC he worked to bring the company into compliance with a new program called Safe Feed/Safe Food. Its premise: if safe feed is fed to livestock and poultry, then food safe for human consumption will result. His vision called for ILC to furnish proof that all their procedures were safe. He knew the company needed it to be an industry leader. Shortly before his retirement, his efforts paid off and ILC Resources was certified. He retired in May 2012.

Always generous with his time and expertise, Richard spoke at many Midwest conferences, including the American Feed Industry Association, and guest lectured at Iowa State University. He also served on the board of the American Feed Council.

Reflecting on his career he said; "All I accomplished in my 40 years add up to not even a dot of an i or a cross on a t in importance to both my family and my decision long ago to give my life to Jesus."

In retirement he and Joanna's path took then to their farm near Superior. But his challenges didn't end. Joanna invented many building projects for him. Whether on Lovewell reservoir with his fishing buddies or photographing the natural world, he marveled daily at God's creation. He loved a country drive with his wife, window down and the song of the meadowlark. "Nothing puts one's mind at ease and instills calm to one's soul quite like a meadowlark's trill."

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Joanna Bristol; daughter Leesa Lawson-Hoke (Joe) of Collinsville, Conn.; son Stuart Olson (Fouzilla Sebbak) of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Stan (Elaine) of Tempe, Ariz; granddaughters Rachel (Jedo) Jerke of Grand Island, Neb.; Lia Grant of St. Paul, Minn.; three great grandchildren: Jaxson, Jemila and Jina Jerke and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Bristol and sons Scott Olson and Christoper Bristol and daughter Monica Sorensen.

Richard asked his family and friends to skip a memorial service and instead remember him by giving of your time, talents and/or money to those in need. Here is one he supported: Goodfellows of Omaha,1229 Millwork Avenue, Suite 402, Omaha, NE 68102 or online https://www.goodfellowsomaha.com

A Memorial service will take place at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com .

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska is assisting the family.