July 6, 1927 – May 10, 2025
Richard “Dick” Opferbeck, 97 of Salamanca, NY passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born July 6, 1927 in the Town of Mansfield, NY, he was the son of the late Fritz and Mildred Rice Opferbeck. He was married on August 20, 1966 in the former St. Patrick’s Church to the former Catherine Pecora, who survives.
Dick was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force (AAF) during WWII, serving from September 11, 1945 until he was discharged on April 4, 1947 as a radio repairman. He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal.
Richard had been employed with the United States Postal Service, as a mechanic with the Ford Garage in Salamanca, NY, a bus driver and janitor with the Salamanca School District, and ended his career with the New York State Department of Transportation. He also owned a small business in Salamanca with his brothers Ged and Dan, where they sold and repaired snowmobiles, bicycles, and lawnmowers.
He was a member of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, the former Elks Club, the Salamanca Historical Society, Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Boy Scouts, and served on the City of Salamanca Republican Committee. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and helping people in the community. He also enjoyed camping, hunting, water skiing, snowmobiling, and taking long car rides with his wife. Dick was an avid fisherman who enjoyed taking his boat out with either his wife or his brother Bill.
Surviving besides his wife are: four children, Laurie (James) Belscher, West Valley, NY, Ann O’Brien, Salamanca, NY, Thomas Opferbeck, Agusta, GA, Fritz (Sandra) Opferbeck, Pique, OH; eight grandchildren, Dale Opferbeck, Cassandra O’Brien, Chelsey Teeter, Dustin O’Brien, Rebecca Woodruff, Joseph Opferbeck, Dana Flanigan, Danielle Flanigan; fourteen great-grandchildren, Nacayla Knight-Westfall, Dominic Campbell, Samantha Harrison, Noehah Knight, Philip DeBoy, Catherine DeBoy, Danica Teeter, Robert Chamberlain, Gavin Teeter, Dylan Chamberlain, Navi O’Brien, Raveena O’Brien, Jaxon O’Brien, Maddie Woodruff; four great-great grandchildren, Cayden Harrison, Grayson Harrison, Autumn Harrison, baby girl Knight-Westfall; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor Hintz Opferbeck, a son, Bruce Opferbeck, two granddaughters, Nicole DeBoy and Catrina Knight, three brothers, Willard Opferbeck, Daniel Opferbeck, and Gerald Opferbeck, and a sister, Edna Edmonds.
Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 4 – 7pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish on Thursday at 10am with Father Jan Trela officiating.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY
Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
