Richard Allen Gellinger, 82, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Lincoln.

Private family services will be held on Friday, April 4 at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. William Voelker officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, rural Columbus.  Full military honors will be given by the United States Air Force Honor Guard out of Offutt Air Force Base.

Richard Allen Gellinger was born September 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Francis and Adeline (Luckel) Gellinger. He was raised by his grandmother Martha Kassner and grandfather Charles Kassner. Richard graduated from Lindbloom High School in Chicago. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1960 where he worked in Communications and later Law Enforcement and retired in 1985. He served 25 years active duty and said he loved every minute and would do it all over again. Richard served in Europe, the Far East, and within the U.S.  He earned a degree in Criminal Justice and Business from the Community College of the Air Force. Richard received several military awards including the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. After his USAF retirement, he worked for AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) for 17 years.

Richard married Joann (Chieko) Kinra on January 14, 1974. They were married 48 years. They loved to travel together and enjoyed seeing many parts of the world. He said she was his best friend and love of his life. Through this marriage he gained two daughters. He thought of both of them as his daughters and loved them with his whole heart. Richard will be deeply missed by them and their families.

Richard is survived by:
Daughter – Mary Ann (Jerry) Schreiber of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Andrea (Bradley) Halsted of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren – Melanie (Kelly) Krings of Omaha, NE; Stacie Schreiber of Omaha, NE; Jeremy (Lesli) Schreiber of Columbus, NE; Mindy (Andrew) Muhle of Columbus, NE; Cassie Geier (fiancé Dustin Erdmann) of Lincoln, NE; Kyle (Morgan) Shemek of Lincoln, NE and Sarah Halsted of Fort Collins, CO
Great-grandchildren – Trysten, Alivia, Kinley and Jett Krings of Omaha, NE; Jayden Weiland of Omaha, NE; Lexi Schreiber of Columbus,  NE; Mason, Mallie and Emmy Muhle of Columbus, NE; and Ella Shubkagel of Lincoln, NE
Faithful sidekick dog – Peyton Manning

Richard was preceded in death by:
Wife – Joann Gellinger
Grandparents – Charles and Martha Kassner
Parents – Francis and Adeline Gellinger
Brother – Ronald Gellinger
Sisters – Marline Bila and Sharon Sternberg