Richard David Tollerton Sr.

Richard David Tollerton, Sr., of Marshall, formerly of Brookfield and Columbia, passed away on October 11, 2023 after a long illness. Dick was born on February 21, 1953 to Robert and Edith (Davies) Tollerton in Brookfield. He graduated from Brookfield High School, attended the Universities of Missouri and Kansas, and received a diploma from the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing.

He was loving, charismatic, ornery, compassionate, opinionated, sentimental, selfless, and hilariously witty, and applied all of these strengths across a 30-year nursing career at University Hospital in Columbia. He had a way of speaking and asking questions that made you feel seen and understood. His love of nature, weather, and travel was infectious; memories of the family trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, both in his childhood and adulthood, are especially cherished. (“Canoe canoe?” If you know, you know.) He counted birdwatching, hunting of deer and waterfowl (and the occasional misguided reptile), archery, liberty, Chiefs football, and KU basketball among his many passions, and he savored good food, good stories, and good company. Richard and his love, Roberta, enjoyed many evenings sitting on their patio together. He also had a deep love for the Lord and found great comfort in Him.

Richard is survived by his significant other, Roberta Griffitt of Marshall; children, Richard Tollerton II and wife Deana Everett Tollerton of Austin, TX, Sarah Huffman and husband Jon of Saint Charles, Lori Sperry and husband Leevon of Carlisle, IA; granddaughters, Claudia and Matilda Tollerton, Ripley and Mina Huffman, and Beatrice and Madigan Sperry; former wife, Margaret (Heitgerd) Tollerton of St. Peters; brother, Jim and wife Deborah of Laclede; sisters, Alice Tollerton-Smith and husband Colin of Linneus, Elizabeth of Corvallis, OR, and Pegg Glaser of Soso, MS; and many nieces and nephews. He was also blessed to have connected with son Jack Nickel and wife Jennifer of Deep River, CT. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert; and sister, Mary.

In his memory, please consider a donation to one of the charities he supported: Wounded Warrior Project, Boys Town, St Joseph’s Indian School, or The Salvation Army. A private graveside service will be held in Laclede.