Richard Lawrence "Dick" Gaida, a long-time Duluthian, decorated military veteran, and successful businessman, passed away in January 2026. Born in 1931 to Lawrence and Cecelia Gaida, Dick exhibited a powerful work ethic from a young age, running newspaper routes, working for the DM&IR Railway during WWII, and joining the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1947 at age 16.

He was a proud combat veteran. After the National Guard he transferred to the Air Force. He was stationed on Okinawa, and served as a B-29 crew chief during the Korean War. Much later, he served as an Engineman in the Coast Guard out of Duluth aboard the USCGC Woodrush.

In 1954, Dick married his beloved Dolores. They raised a daughter, Debra, and a son, Robert, in Duluth and at their home on Pequaywan Lake. Dick worked alongside his father before co-owning and successfully operating the family business, Gaida’s Standard service station, with his brother Jim. The property was acquired by the State of Minnesota in 1987. For many years, Dick also served as the Chief of the Pequaywan Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.

Following his retirement, Dick and Dolores moved to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Wanting to keep busy, he volunteered for and was eventually hired by the Lakewood Hills Condo Association to oversee property and grounds maintenance.

After Dolores's death in 2024, he eventually moved from the condo into assisted living, but his 2015 bladder/prostate cancer surgery had begun to make things difficult. Dick returned to Duluth in 2025, and died in January 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores, his parents, and siblings James, Thomas, Lawrence ("Bud"), Margaret Contardo, Mary Harris, and Judith Reiff.

He is survived by his brother, George (Paula) Gaida; his son, Robert (Betsy) Gaida; his daughter, Debra (Gary) Zaudtke; his grandchildren, Noah and Parker Gaida (children of Robert), and Amy Novitzki, Lindsey Johnson, and Katy Johnson (children of Debra); and several great‑grandchildren.

No service will be held. Please send donations to Duluth V.F.W. Post 137.

Special thanks to all his Arkansas friends and caregivers from The Springs and at Ozark Home Health who were there for him when his family couldn't be.  Also, thanks to Gentiva Hospice and Diamond Willow staff in Duluth for their care of Dick in his last days.

He will be greatly missed.