Richard John Vlasin, 90, of rural Pleasant Dale, died October 24, 2019 at Tabitha in Crete.  He was born on a farm near Wallace, Nebraska on February 4, 1929 to John and Mary (Tabor) Vlasin. He was the seventh child and oldest son of the family's nine children. Richard's family relocated to Crete, Nebraska in 1931 after his father retired from farming. He graduated from St. James Catholic School and continued on at Crete High School, graduating in 1947. As a young man, he took voice lessons at Doane College and was known to have a beautiful bass voice. He also played football and excelled in agricultural classes; a particular point of pride was his service as president of the Crete FFA chapter. Richard farmed and ranched north of Crete for all of his adult life. In 1950, he married Genevieve (Stolz) Vlasin and they raised their four children on the farm. Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed raising cattle and attending farm and cattle auctions. He was adamant that quality education was the key to a successful life and, in his later years, indulged his passion for reading the paper, periodicals and anything else that could help him learn. Most of all, he loved his family--children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews--and had a wide circle of friends and neighbors. He always had a smile and a joke or funny quip to share. He also was a firm believer in the motto "if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all." Two days of the week of great importance to him…Mondays which he called "his bohemian holiday." And Thursdays, when Dan Strehle, a dear, longtime family friend, would join him to work on projects and share a hearty lunch and laughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, his five sisters and one brother and his wife, Genevieve. He is survived by his children Thomas (Mary), Kansasville, WI, Gerald (Barbara), Crete, NE, Susan (Russell) Fritz, Crete, NE, and Julie (John) Kastanek, Wilber, NE as well as thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, sister Rose Cecava of Wallace, NE, brother Raymond Vlasin of East Lansing, MI, sister in law Bernadette Vlasin, and brother in law Robert Welch. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Crete.  Visitation on Sunday from 5 - 7 PM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete with Rosary following at 7:00 PM.  Memorials are in care of the family.  Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is handling arrangements.