Richard “Dick” Gould, 79, died Friday, March 31, 2017, at Vibra Hospital in Colorado due to medical complications from pneumonia. Richard has courageously fought spinal cell sarcoma for 10 years.
Funeral services are at 3 p.m. on Saturday at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Richard’s family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
Richard was born Jan. 24, 1938, in Peoria, Ill., to Clara Rose (Kamben) and John Gus Gould. He grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Franklin Elementary, graduated from eighth grade at Whitter and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1956 where he lettered in football and track. He designed the Washington High School mascot “Willie The Warrior.”
Richard served in The United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict/War. He was stationed in Japan where he was introduced to Japanese Shotokan Karate. He trained under Sensei Funakoshi while in Japan. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marines he taught figure skating for the city of Sioux Falls. This is where he met the love of his life, Ronna Mae (Lodermeier) Gould who was also an instructor. They were married on March 23, 1963, at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. Richard and Ronna have been residents of Brookings, the past 50 years.
Richard loved to travel with family, friends or his “karate” family for pleasure or karate functions. He was a great leader and had a great sense of humor. He was fun to be around.
Richard was a licensed journeymen electrician in Sioux Falls before pursuing a college degree. He graduated from South Dakota State with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 1970. He was a professor at Dakota State University and football coach before accepting an administration position at The Flandreau Indian School, which he held for 35 years until retirement in June 2004.
He was a member of Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. He was the owner of Gould Prairie Light House in Brookings from 1978 to 1982.
Richard founded The American Shotokan Karate Federation in 1983 which remained under his direction. He founded the South Dakota State University Shotokan Karate Club as an adjunct professor where he taught karate physical education classes for SDSU. SDSU graduates formed karate cubs upon graduation. His ASKF organization grew to 35 clubs in the Midwest. He passed his love of karate to his son, David. The two of them enjoyed a tight bond through karate.
Richard has published two mystical novels “Red Sun On Journey” and “The Oracles of Perception,” an American Shotokan Karate Instructor’s Course in binder form, Manuals for: Master Training, Black Belt Training, ASKF Testing, Kenshusei Manual, Renshi, Tournament Rules plus monthly ASKF newsletters.
Richard holds a ninth degree black belt in The American Shotokan Karate Federation. He is held in highest esteem throughout the United States and Europe for his knowledge and instruction of Shotokan Karate.
Richard is survived by his wife, Ronna Mae Gould of Brookings; son, Richard David Gould of Denver; daughter, ReJeanne Renee (Michael) Lehron of Janesville/Milton, Wis.; three grandchildren; four great-grandsons; brother, Rickford (Rick) Standing of Sioux Falls, Rodney Standing of Rapid City; sister-in-law, Barbara (Robert) Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his step-father, Leland Standing; brother, Ronald Dean Gould, brother-in-law, Gene Vernal Lodermeier; and sister-in-law, Kay Standing.
A more complete obituary is available at www.georgeboom.com.
