Visitation:  Family will greet visitors beginning at noon Monday, September 14 at Heritage Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, SD.

Service: A Celebration of Richard’s Life will begin at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2026 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.

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Richard Linton Bong, age 89, ran his final race on September 9, 2026 at Centerville Care & Rehab.  A Celebration of Richard’s Life will begin at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2026 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.  Family will greet visitors beginning at noon.

Richard was born during a blizzard at Jenny Bent Nursing Home in Canton, SD on April 21, 1937 to Linton and Ora (Hill) Bong.  He was the eldest of six children.  He was raised on the family farm north of Beresford, educated at Cottage Grove Country School, Canton High School and SDSU with a degree in P.E. and Math.  He was a talented athlete who played football, basketball, track, and baseball during his school years.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a personnel specialist at Ft. Lewis, WA from 1960-1962. After his honorable discharge, he attended grad school. He worked in market research, farmed, sold seed, and drove truck before retiring.

On December 19, 1964 he married the love of his life, Arleen Faye Radcliffe, in Stuart, NE. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage.

When Richard wasn’t working, he cherished time spent with his family at Newton Hills, Lake Poinsett, and Big Stone Lake. He loved sports and fishing.

Richard is survived by his wife, Arleen; children, Torrie Chrisopulos, Heather Bong, Richard (Audra) Bong, and Susan Hansen; grandchildren, Steve Chrisopulos, Josh Chrisopulos, Nick Chrisopulos, Kaylee Heumiller, and Janae Stratmeyer; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Susan) Bong; sisters, Sylvia Huntington, Lynette Hardy, and Mary Brinkman; sister-in-law, Barbara Bong; along with numerous extended family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robbin.