Dick was born on Oct. 31, 1937, in Trenton, the oldest child of the late Charles Gentry and Helen Elizabeth Mapel Bryan. He was a 1955 graduate of Trenton High School, attended Trenton Junior College, American University in Washington, D.C., and the University of Missouri.
In the 1950s as a teenager, Dick worked at the Grand-Vu Drive-in and Cisco Brown Drug Store, both in Trenton. He began working for the State of Missouri, Division of Employment Security, in Jefferson City in 1958 and retired after nearly 40 years of service.
Dick served as the First Chairman of the Board of Trustees (ex-officio mayor) of the Village of St. Martins, 1972-1974. He also served as Village Clerk and was later appointed as an Alderman for the City of St. Martins. He was a member of the St. Martins Commission for the observance of the 1976 Bicentennial of the American Revolution, one of the most successful community activities ever held in St. Martins involving almost every citizen of the community. He was the First Chairman of the Commons Commission (Park Board) in which capacity he was instrumental in the establishment and development of Niekamp Park in St. Martins.
He was a member of the Board of Directors and instrumental in the establishment of Moreau View Village, a residential community for seniors in St. Martins. He served as chairman of St. Martins Boy Scout Troop No. 12 Committee and was the Scoutmaster from 1969 to 1976. He also assisted with the St. Martins Catholic Youth Organization. He was a member of the Apache Flats Lions Club, serving as secretary.
Dick was a Reagan/Trump Republican and served as a delegate to the 2016 Missouri State Republican Convention. He was passionate about protecting the unborn and participated in numerous pro-life events. He also volunteered with the Jefferson City Red Cross, including assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina.
He was a member of the Jefferson City Kennel Club and he enjoyed showing his champion Dalmatian, Velvet, in dog shows throughout the Midwest. His love of world history led him to enjoy traveling extensively to various countries. His Irish heritage encouraged his interest in family genealogy. Other hobbies included reading, bowling, swimming, canoeing, bike riding, cooking and collecting coins. He enjoyed card games of all kinds and volunteered as a bridge instructor with various groups and as a chess instructor with St. Martins School students. He shared his love for steam locomotives with his nieces and nephews by taking them to the depot occasionally when one rolled through town. He enjoyed attending the sporting events of his nephews and nieces for more than 30 years and he followed his favorite teams, the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals and Blues.
Dick enjoyed spending time with all his family, especially his many nieces and nephews. They were his pride and joy. Our Uncle Dick, who was everyone’s Uncle Dick, was loved and adored by many. He had an infectious and contagious laugh, was a friend to everyone, and didn’t know a stranger. He was our family rock and we miss him dearly.
He is survived by his brother, Charles Gentry “Buddy” Bryan, Jr., and sister, Sharon “Kay” (Bryan) Bode, both of Jefferson City; nieces and nephews, Libby and Jerry Block, Melodie Bode and James Tharp, all of Jefferson City; great-nieces and -nephews, Devin and Nicole Block of Ashland, Amber Block of Toas, Madison Block and John Mathis of Wardsville, Esther Tharp of Springfield and Cora Tharp and Timothy Tharp of Jefferson City; great-great-nieces and -nephews, Lexi Stark, Eli Routon, Montana Routon, Anniston Block, Laethen Block, and Griffin Block; honorary nephew, Frederico Franca, his wife, Aline, and their daughter, Isabella, of Fortaleza, Brazil; and many loving cousins.
Dick also was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Stephen Bode, and great-great-nephew, Stephyn Mathis.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Trenton.
Visitation and prayer services were held in Jefferson City on February 12, 2021, at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors. A recording of the service can be found by going to www.millardfamilychapels.com and selecting Dick’s tribute. Once there, select the Tribute Wall tab. The service can be found listed as Live Webcast.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Richard Bryan to the Vitae Foundation in care of Houser-Millard Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.