Dr. W. Richard "Dick" Loerke

Dr. W. Richard “Dick” Loerke Dr. W. Richard “Dick” Loerke was born on Thursday, October 20, 1932 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Welden and Ruth (Bozell) Loerke. He died on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 87 years of age. Dick met Nevin Wright through a mutual friend on a high school choir trip. They dated for three years and were married August 9, 1953, in Ottumwa, Iowa. They raised three sons and a daughter in Tulsa, OK where they were actively involved in the numerous activities of their children. As empty nesters, they enjoyed traveling with friends, weekends at the lake, volunteering, and spending time with their grandchildren. Sunday marked their 67th wedding anniversary. Dick was a 1950 graduate of Ottumwa, Iowa High School. He received his BS in Chemistry from Northeast Missouri State University and his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship in Kirksville Missouri.. After his training, Dr. Loerke relocated his family to Tulsa and started a family practice clinic in Northland Shopping Center. Later, he joined a group of doctors at Benien Clinic in downtown Tulsa. He was also on staff at OSU (Tulsa Regional) Medical Center and Southcrest Medical Center where he treated patients and delivered over 2,500 babies. He practiced medicine for over 50 years. Some of Dick’s favorite activities included spending time with family, golfing with friends, gardening, and singing in his church’s choir. With his family, Dick loved to attend as many of his grandchildren’s sporting and school events as possible, traveling to fun destinations, and watching sporting events. Dick loved golf, and in his retirement, he golfed with his friends every week. Dick was incredibly committed to his church, Asbury United Methodist where he served on numerous committees and sang in the church choir for nearly 60 years. While at Asbury he was a member of the Mariners community. He was also a devoted member of the Southeast Rotary Club. In his retirement, he loved to read to children at Walt Whitman Elementary School. He is survived by, His wife,Nevin Brother, David and wife Anita, Allentown, NJ Daughter,Nancy and husband Tom Kragt, Anchorage, AK Sons,Jim, Tulsa, OK Bob and wife Susan, Wichita, KS Tom and wife Phyllis, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchildren, Tim, Matt, Mary and husband Danny, Bethany, Becka, Rob and wife Carissa, Rick and wife Alisha, Randy and wife Melissa, Sara and husband Joe, Samuel, Sophie, Kaylee and husband Travis, Courtney and husband Ben, Christopher, Hannah, Abby, and 24 great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents Welden and Ruth and an infant great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations could be made to: Oklahoma Osteopathic Founders Foundation - 8801 S. Yale Ave., Ste 400 Tulsa, OK 74137 (write "Dr. Loerke Scholarship Account" in the check memo) or www.OsteopathicFounders.org or for the Asbury Music Ministry mail a check to Asbury United Methodist Church - 6767 S. Mingo Road Tulsa, OK 74133 (include "Music Ministry, Richard Loerke Memorial" in the check memo)

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Dr. W. Richard "Dick" Loerke

October 20, 1932 - August 12, 2020