Richard Edward Tulp (Dick), age 84, Fargo, formerly Valley City, ND died April 25th, 2020 in Fargo, ND. A private family funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Epworth United Methodist Church, Valley City. The service will be Live-Streamed at http://epworthvalleycity.com/
He passed away at Villa Maria Nursing Home, as the result of complications from COVID-19.
Richard was born to John Quincy and Helen Louise (Martin) Tulp in their home in Silver Lake Township, ND. He was the youngest of their three sons; his older brothers being Virgil and Robert. A few years after Richard’s birth, the family moved to a farm west of Hurdsfield, ND before they settled into the home his father built in Hurdsfield. As a young man, he entered the United States Army in 1954, where he was later stationed in California. Soon after, he married the love of his life, Evangeline Sue Kittelson (Vange), on August 28, 1955 at the Oakland Army Base in California.
Upon being discharged from the Army in February of 1956, Richard and Evangeline moved back to Hurdsfield, ND where they farmed for several years. Then, in 1963, they put down roots in Goodrich, ND. This would be their home for 22 years. While in Goodrich, Dick and Vangie kept quite busy supporting their family and community. They owned the local cafe, while he worked for a local farmer, bladed roads for the county and custom combined for three years. Dick was even Sheriff of Sheridan County, where he encountered many hair raising situations. In 1985, they moved to Valley City, ND. Dick worked as a truck driver until injury left him no choice but to retire from the workforce.
But anyone who knew Dick Tulp, knew that retirement left him busier than ever. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, and the Goodrich and Valley City Lions Clubs. He volunteered and served his community wholeheartedly. Wesley Acres Camp held a special place in his heart and he volunteered many hours there and also organized many work days for his recruits from the Epworth United Methodist men. His hobbies included hours spent in his woodworking shop, fishing, and card games; Dick and Vange crafted many birdhouses and countless other projects for family and friends. He always found time for fishing with his buddies and spending time visiting and playing games with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
There was a running joke in the family that you could place Dick Tulp anywhere in the world and he’d always find someone he knew. He never let a day pass without bragging about his wife of 63 years, his four children, ten grandchildren and 30 great grands. He cherished every visit from us and said he couldn’t live without us. It will be difficult for all of us to live without him because he nurtured a close knit family.
Dick is survived by his 4 children, Vikki (Ellery) Coombs, Jamestown, ND; Kevin (Anita) Tulp, Rogers, ND; Debra (Gary) Koebernick, Fargo, ND; Anne Marie (Roland) Daniel, Eagan, MN; 10 grandchildren Eric Coombs, Melissa Coombs Faul, Christopher Coombs, Ryan Tulp, Wyatt Tulp, Courtney Tulp Pyles, Corey Koebernick, Myriah Koebernick Becker, Dia Daniel, Brody Daniel, and 30 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, and his Villa Maria family. Preceded in death by his wife, Vange; parents, John and Helen; and brothers, Virgil and Robert.
Arrangements for Dick have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, ND. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com