Richard Ewald

Richard Ewald, 67, of Virginia Beach (hometown South Bend, Indiana (River Park)) passed away peacefully after his battle with cancer on Sunday, March 16th. Rick was known as a sarcastic, joke telling, always-there-for-you, funny, yet stubborn "Grumpy Old Man", that we called Daddy, Papa, and Proud Army Veteran. As a Private Second Class Heavy Machine/Construction Operator he dug trenches during the Vietnam Era. Rick was an electrician and he loved Notre Dame, Da Bears, Nascar, Fishing, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and Westerns, especially his Louis L'Amour novels and Bonanza. Most of all he loved his grandchildren, best friends, and children. He is preceded in death by his brother Dale Ewald, and parents Donna (Heimel) Huddleston and Michael Ewald. He was proud to see the Cubs (finally) win a World Series for his absolute best friend of almost 60 years, Rick (and Shelly) Landsberg. Janie Ewald has been part of Rick's family as wife and best friend for over 30 years and says she wouldn't be the person she is today without the love of Rick. He helped raise his grandchildren and is so proud of the accomplishments of his first grandson, Nicholas Butler and his "favorite" (only) granddaughter, Alexis Butler (and Eli Hart). He will be tailgating from the sky for his grandson Blake Ewald, and will be remembered and memorialized through storytelling, pictures and videos of the love he had for his youngest grandchildren Cooper Ewald and Denver Mora. His youngest daughter Brooke Ewald will forever cherish the memories of dragging him to the mall for (yet another) build-a-bear, and her "Daddy Days" of cooking chili and watching movies. His daughter Jessica especially appreciates and respects the sacrifice and devotion he had to always be there for her unconditionally and for raising her as a single father. His son Jacob Ewald will reflect on sending him to Japan as a foreign exchange student in high school. Rick had many life long friends including Robert (Charlotte) Rimmer and Richard Parker, Sr. as well as cousins Jeff Ewald, Scott Ewald, Steve Daughtry and their children. Rick bravely fought alcohol addiction and at the time of his passing accomplished almost 900 days of sobriety.

Services:

Virginia Services: The family asks you to join them at Texas Roadhouse located at 4309 Silverleaf Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, Sunday March 30 at 3pm for dad's "party" (that's what he wanted it called). The family asks that NO ALCOHOL be bought or consumed at the event in respect of Rick's sobriety. Please no flowers in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to any VA Hospital, Substance Abuse/Alcohol Recovery Programs, or the American Red Cross Veteran Division.

Indiana Services: Please join us for a Rendering of Military Honors for Rick at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka, IN on April 13th, 2025 at Noon. The family asks that NO ALCOHOL be bought or consumed at the event in respect of Rick's sobriety. Donations can be made in his honor to any VA Hospital, Substance Abuse/Alcohol Recovery Programs, or the American Red Cross Veteran Division.