Richard D. Guentzel

Richard Guentzel, 92, passed away peacefully on September 14, in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Evelyn; parents, Edgar and Harriet Guentzel; and daughter, Jo. He is survived by his daughters, Melanie Guentzel (Dan Schlagel), St. Cloud, MN, and Heather (Scott) Frank, Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Henrik and Annika; many dear cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends old and new.

Richard was a New Year’s Day baby, growing up in Janesville, Minnesota, and graduating from Janesville High School. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in history from Mankato State University, becoming the first person in his family to do so. He later earned a master’s degree in history from Mankato State University and a doctoral degree in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Richard began his teaching career in Litchfield and went on to teach in Mound and Rochester before moving to Austin, Minnesota. He spent 26 years on the faculty at Riverland Community and Technical College. He was known as a tough instructor who loved teaching. He taught American and European history, and particularly enjoyed teaching courses in Latin American, Minnesota, and frontier history.

Richard grew up hunting and fishing with his father and cousins. He loved his time walking in the fields and woods and all the hours on the lake. He had good friends in Austin who shared his love of hunting, and he treasured his time in their company. He and Evelyn loved their cabin on ‘Big Winnie,’ where they spent 30 years of summer and fall months fishing and enjoying nature and good friends.

Richard and Evelyn had a long life together. Married in 1965, they celebrated 57 years together before Evelyn’s passing. They built a life together after meeting as teachers in Mound, MN. They lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, while Richard was in graduate school and enjoyed Saturday afternoons watching the Huskers play football. While they spent most of their lives together in Austin, Richard’s time in the U.S. Army ignited his passion for traveling and he and Evelyn traveled throughout the United States visiting and photographing many historical sites. They enjoyed traveling internationally, spending time in the Caribbean, Europe, Scandinavia, Mexico, Southwest Asia / North Africa, and New Zealand. In retirement, Richard and Evelyn spent many winters in Central Florida and in Sun City, Arizona, enjoying the sunshine and making new friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Minnesota State University Mankato, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, or St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.