Obituary of Richard Alan Poppke

Richard Alan Poppke

April 8, 1965 – May 5, 2025

Richard Poppke, age 60, passed away unexpectedly on May 5, 2025, while traveling in Amsterdam, one of many places he had hoped to explore. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Richard lived a life rooted in love, family, community, and the simple joys of everyday living.

Richard was a family man above all else. He shared a strong and loving bond with his wife of 28 years, Amy, and held his children—Daniel, David, and Carolyn—at the very center of his heart. He didn’t just take pride in them; he cherished who they were as people and loved being part of their lives every step of the way. He deeply loved his daughters-in-law, Kayla and Mattison, and embraced them as his own. He was also a devoted “Papa” to his three treasured grandchildren—Rylee, Wyatt, and Charlotte—his “littles,” who brought him endless joy. He was also looking forward to a new grandson due in October of this year.

Richard graduated from Bismarck High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Early in his career, he worked at 3M and Imation, where he developed a strong foundation in engineering and team collaboration. He went on to spend 21 years at Medtronic, where he first served as a Principal Process Development Engineer and later as a Senior Engineering Manager. His thoughtful problem-solving, steady leadership, and deep technical knowledge were widely respected. He retired in 2022.

Dedicated to his community, Richard served on the Centennial Hockey Board, supporting youth sports and creating opportunities for others. He found fulfillment in both leadership and behind-the-scenes work—always dependable, always humble.

Richard found peace at the family cabin on Scovil Lake in Wisconsin. He loved walking the property, cutting wood, talking to his trees, paddle boarding, four-wheeling, or simply sitting by the fire—always with Amy by his side. He especially enjoyed time on the water, whether pulling loved ones behind the boat for tubing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding or taking a quiet evening cruise around the lake. He had a passion for travel, enjoying meaningful adventures with each of his children and many cherished getaways with Amy. At home or away, he enjoyed relaxing with a good craft beer and was known for his skills in the kitchen—especially when cooking for the people he loved.

Richard was a true handyman—always ready to help family and friends with yard work, home repairs, or any challenge that came his way. If he didn’t know how to fix something, he would take the time to research it, learn it, and do it right. He approached every task with patience, care, and quiet pride. Known for his steadiness, thoughtful nature, and quiet generosity, Richard had a calm, can-do presence that others naturally turned to—for advice, support, or simply a sense of peace. He was also detail-oriented, driven, and highly organized—someone who took genuine pride in doing things well and always followed through with care and precision.

Richard is survived by his wife, Amy; his children Daniel (Kayla) Walton, David (Mattison) Poppke, and Carolyn Poppke; and his grandchildren Rylee, Wyatt, and Charlotte Walton. He is also survived by his mother, Delaine Poppke of Bismarck, ND; brothers David (Cindy) Poppke, Ted (Bonnie) Poppke; sisters Kathy Poppke, Donna (Tom) Baumgartner; brothers-in-laws Bob (Linda) Anderson, Tom Anderson, John (Lisa) Anderson; sister-in-law Sue (Al) Nelson; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, David Poppke.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Chomonix Golf Course, 700 Aqua Lane, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 7:00pm. A short tribute to honor Richard will be held at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Second Harvest Heartland at https://www.2harvest.org/

A special thank you to John and Lisa Anderson and our dear friends Jon and Janet Storck for their assistance and support in navigating our difficult situation in Amsterdam.

Our family would like to thank each and every one of you for your love and support during this difficult time. No thank you cards will be sent.