Richard was born in Ranchester, Wyoming and raised in and around Arapahoe, Nebraska. He married Kathleen Margaret Reeman on Feb. 26, 1924 at Eaton, Colorado. They had 1 child, Bonnie Lou Zike born 8/30, 1926 at Eaton, Co. Richard died of Multiple Sclerosis on June 26, 1946, one day after Bonnie brought his first grand daughter home from the hospital (from birth).