Dick Puffer

Richard Allen "Dick" Puffer, age 85, of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Dick was born on August 9, 1941, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Alice (Aletta) and Robert Puffer. He grew up on the bluffs of St. Paul's East Side, where he spent countless hours at Bluff Playground playing baseball and other neighborhood sports. Those early years helped shape the competitive spirit, lifelong friendships, and love of athletics that stayed with him throughout his life. He graduated from Harding High School in 1959.

Following graduation, Dick answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps. He served with extraordinary courage during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for valor and heroic leadership in combat. His citation recognized not only his bravery under enemy fire but also his steadfast devotion to his fellow Marines and his country. Although he rarely sought recognition for his service, Dick remained deeply proud of being a United States Marine. He treasured the lifelong friendships he made in the Corps, faithfully attended reunions with his military family, and remained an active member of the American Legion. The courage and selflessness that earned him the Bronze Star with Combat "V" were the very same qualities that defined the rest of his life—as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man of unwavering faith.

After returning home, fate stepped in at a party in St. Paul, where a mutual friend introduced him to a young woman from Montana named Jean. The two married in 1968 and built a beautiful life together until Jean's passing in 2009. Their marriage was rooted in faith, love, laughter, and devotion to one another.

Dick dedicated his professional life to serving his community as a United States Postal Service letter carrier. After a long and honorable career, he retired at the age of 62 but remained an active and loyal member of the Postal Workers Union, continuing to support the people and profession he cared so deeply about.

Above all else, Dick loved his family. After losing Jean, he became the steady rock for his four daughters, always there with encouragement, wisdom, and a joke to lighten even the hardest days. His daughters knew they could always count on Dad.

Dick embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved bowling, golfing, and fishing. Some of his happiest days were spent fishing in Montana with his buddies and his son-in-law, Mike. On the deck of our Family home, he problem solved the Worlds issues with his son-in-law Steve, and joking with his son-in-law Andy that he was the only one keeping him out of Rosewood, and debating with with his other son-in-law Kevin whether the Air Force or Marines were the toughest crew. He enjoyed golfing with the “Duffers”, bowling at Sundance lanes with the guys. He faithfully met friends for breakfast, looked forward every week to card games affectionately known as "McCrank Day" with Rip and Mary McCrank, and took enormous pride in maintaining one of the nicest lawns around. **Nothing, however, brought him greater joy than cheering from the stands as his grandchildren played sports. He tried to make it to as many games as possible and treasured this time. **

A devoted Minnesota sports fan, Dick cheered passionately for the Twins, Vikings, Wild, and especially the Minnesota Lynx. He had a gift for storytelling, a quick wit, and a perfectly timed joke. Whether surrounded by lifelong friends or meeting someone new, Dick had a way of making everyone laugh. He was truly the life of the party.

His Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life. Baptized Lutheran, Dick was a devoted member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where he even traveled with fellow members to Germany, while always holding a special place in his heart for First Lutheran Church on St. Paul's East Side. His quiet faith guided the way he lived—with humility, compassion, service, and gratitude.

Dick is survived by his loving daughters:Kelly Hazzard (Steve), Karen Beck (Mike), Kristina Cassidy (Kevin), and Kyleen Donahue (Andy); His ten cherished grandchildren:Ally, Samantha, Brianna, Sarah, Ella, Finn, McKinzie, Merrick, Elin, and Morgan; his beloved godchildren:Kim Wysocki, Nicole McGee, Joshua Holm and Gibson Holm and his favorite unofficial God Daughter Amy Faust; along with countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, fellow Marines, postal coworkers, neighbors, and treasured friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Puffer; his parents, Alice (Aletta) and Robert Puffer; his sister, Patricia Yurek; his brother-in-law, Lefty Yurek; and his brothers, Jim Puffer and Donny Puffer.

Dick also leaves behind many lifelong friendships that meant the world to him, including Rip and Mary McCrank, Joe and Lynn Schwartzbauer, Jimmy and Yoli Martinez, Pat & Sunday McDermott, Mark "Big Foot" & Karen Naughton, Robert O'Malley, Jim Osmundson, Margie Blaha, special friend Kathy Pieper and the many Marines, postal workers, breakfast buddies, and neighbors whose lives were richer because they knew him.

Dick will be remembered for his unwavering faith in God, his unconditional love for his family, his extraordinary courage as a Marine, his fierce loyalty to his friends, his unmatched work ethic, and the wonderful sense of humor that could brighten any room. His legacy is one of service, strength, kindness, laughter, and love.

The family finds comfort knowing that Dick has been reunited with the love of his life, Jean, and has heard the words he lived his life striving for:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, August 21, 2026 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, with visitation beginning an hour prior at 9 AM. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Elmhurst Cemetery.