Richard Dennis Habiger

Richard Dennis Habiger of Iola died Aug. 7 at the VA Medical Center in Topeka. He was 69. Richard Habiger was born at St. John Hospital in Iola, on Oct. 28, 1946, the first child of Clara and Wenzel Habiger. He grew up in Piqua where his father managed a grocery store. Habiger attended Piqua Grade School and graduated from Iola High School. In 1966 Habiger was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where he served for two years as a corporal. He arrived in Vietnam in June of 1966 and was assigned to Delta Company 9th Marines who were known as the "Walking Dead" because of the unit's 77 percent casualty rate. While serving in Vietnam, Habiger earned two Purple Hearts; and a Bronze Star for bravery in combat. In 1976, Habiger married his wife Beverly. Their children are: Todd Habiger (Lori) of Shawnee; Troy Habiger (Yolanda) of Humboldt; Angie (Brian) Leffers of Seward, Neb.; and Dennis (Tara) Habiger of Topeka. After returning from Vietnam, Habiger worked at four banks, most notably the Bank of Bronson where he served as executive vice president. In 1989 he became owner/operator of the local Service Master, and later founded his own company, All Clean, a disaster restoration service. He was proud to have turned a business that started out with one van and one carpet cleaner to a successful business offering quality services with multiple vehicles and equipment. Habiger was an avid outdoorsmen. He liked to hunt and fish with family and friends. Many fall weekends he and his family could be found chopping wood for the family fireplace that he loved so much. In his later years Habiger reconnected with many of his Marine friends from Vietnam. He was proud of his service to his country and enjoyed the reunions with his old friends. The family suggest memorials to the Hope for the Warriors organization a national nonprofit organization in the United States that provides assistance to combat wounded service members, their families, and families of those killed in action. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his grandchildren: Lauren Habiger, Paige Habiger, Levi Habiger, Leigha Habiger, Connor Habiger, Bryson Leffers, Barrett Leffers, Carlynn Habiger, Brinlynn Habiger , Hudson Habiger, and his sisters Rosemary Johnson, Carol Windham and Jeanette Winterbottom. The family would like to thank the staff of the Topeka Veteran's Hospital for their excellent care during Richard's final days.