Richard Allen Sargent, 79, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2024 in Park Rapids, MN.

Richard was born August 24, 1944 in Austin, MN to Arnold C. and Esther L. (Lagervall) Sargent. He grew up on a farm near Renova/Dexter, MN, where he spent many fun days with numerous cousins. Richard attended Elkton School until his senior year, and graduated from Hayfield High School in 1962. After graduation, Richard attended Austin Vocational School. He met Melinda Marsden of Brownsdale in  1967, and they were united in marriage on June 22, 1968 at the Church of Christ in Austin. Richard and Melinda just celebrated 56 happy years together. Richard and Melinda traveled the first year of marriage for Richard's job and moved to Rochester in 1969. He worked as an electrician for Foster and Adair for 5 years before becoming an instructor of over 25 years at Rochester Vocational, know known as RCTC.

Richard loved fishing, deer hunting, camping, and being outdoors. He loved sports, whether it was watching the Vikings or Twins or playing softball for the Electrical Union team or the church softball team. Richard was a devoted man of faith, serving as deacon at Hope Summit Christian Church, teaching Sunday school, being active in Pioneer Club or being a mentor through Kids Hope. He went on numerous mission trips, and most recently he went to Diamond Willow Ministries in Fort Thompson, SD. Richard was a 70 year member of Austin Church of Christ and Hope Summit Christian Church. He was a generous man, always helping others and always had words of wisdom to share. Richard loved to joke and had a great sense of humor. He was a handyman and always fixing things. Above all, Richard loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. He was a devoted husband, dad and grandpa.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Melinda; son Greg (Leah) Sargent; daughters Shelley Pacheco and Suzy Sargent; grandchildren, Emily Sargent, Gabriel Pacheco and Tatianna Pacheco; sister-in-law, Sandra Sargent; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ardi and Rick Pettis; nieces Stacy Sargent, Stephanie Sargent and nephews Scott Sargent and Mark (Katie) Pettis. Richard was preceded in death by his brother Charles Sargent and by his parents.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Hope Summit Christian Church, 1315 6 ^th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 ^th St. SE, Rochester, MN. Rev, Kevin Blanchard will be officiating with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale, MN. Memorial contributions in Richard's memory may be made to Diamond Willow Ministries, P.O. Box 438, Fort Thompson, SD 57339.