Our Family History

The Genealogy of the Ruzicka and Manchak Families

Family: Richard Henry SYKORA / Marian E. LEONARD (F482)

• Male Richard Henry SYKORA

  
  

  Birth	25 Jun 1923	Vinita, Craig, Oklahoma, USA
  Death	9 Sep 2013	Peoria, Maricopa, Arizona, USA
  Burial	Abt 12 Sep 2013	National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona/Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA
  Marriage	14 Sep 1946  [1, 2, 3, 4]	Holy Name Catholic Church/Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, USA  [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Father	Richard SYKORA | F285 Group Sheet
  Mother	Amelia Hattie RUZICKA | F285 Group Sheet

  
  

  Female Marian E. LEONARD

  
  

  Birth	1923
  Death	2000
  Burial	2000	National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona/Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA
  Father
  Mother

  
  

  Female + Lenni Kathleen SYKORA

  
  

  Birth
  Death
  Burial
  Spouse	Robert G. GRIEGO | F483
  Marriage

  
  

  Male Kenneth Richard SYKORA

  
  

  Birth
  Death
  Burial
  Spouse	Toni | F1208
  Marriage

  
  

  Male Dennis Richard SYKORA

  
  

  Birth
  Death
  Burial
  Spouse	Savana | F1209
  Marriage

  
  

  Female Penni Suzanne SYKORA

  
  

  Birth
  Death
  Burial
  Spouse	Don KLICK | F1210
  Marriage

  
  

• Sources

  [S79] GRIEGO, Lenni, Email of 21 Feb 2007. ... married September 14, 1946. [S937] Obituary of Richard Henry SYKORA, (Name: Arizona Republic; Location: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA; Date: 15 Sep 2013;). Sykora, Richard Henry June 25, 1923 - September 9, 2013. Richard Henry Sykora, 90, passed away on Monday, September 9th in Peoria, Arizona. He was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on June 25, 1923 to parents Amelia Ruzicka Sykora of Moravia and Richard Sykora of Vienna, Austria. Dick was proud to be a first generation American. The family moved from Oklahoma to Omaha when Dick was a young boy. He attended school there, graduating from South High in June of 1942, just as the United States entered World War II. Dick served his country with great pride in the United States Army 8th Air Force Division while stationed in Peterborough, England. His specialty was servicing the radar equipment on the bombers that flew over Europe. Three days after returning from the war to Omaha in December, 1945, he met his future wife, Marian Leonard, while ice-skating at AkSarBen. Married September 14, 1946 at Holy Name Church, they began their lives together for the next fifty-four years, while raising their four children. As the Manager of the Industrial Development Department at the Omaha Public Power District, Dick's career focused on public relations encouraging commercial businesses to relocate to the greater Omaha area. He wore a suit to OPPD every day, but his passion was working with his hands. He built the family home on Spaulding Street. He assembled a replica of a 1936 Cadillac. He built play houses, doll houses, box race cars and toys for his children and grandchildren. He loved everything mechanical; his basement was a sophisticated display of tools and saws, and his gifted use of them showcased what a talented and creative man he was. Dick's other passion was boating. He and Marian owned five boats, the smaller ones used for skiing on Carter Lake, and larger cabin cruisers docked on the Missouri River. Their social lives centered around boating and their boating friends. Upon retirement in 1987, Dick and Marian followed their children to Phoenix, Arizona, which allowed them the joy of more time with children and their six grandchildren. In Phoenix, Dick continued his woodworking, jewelry making and painting. He was able to reconnect with friends in Sun City from his childhood. Dick was a man of quiet dignity, yet, he would never miss an opportunity to tell a good joke at family gatherings. Dick is preceded in death by his wife, Marian. He is survived by Gloria Welch, his beloved companion for the past 12 years; his daughter Lenni (Bob) Griego, Ken (Toni), Dennis (Savana), Penni (Don) Klick; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and older sister, Lilyan Chilese of Omaha, Nebraska. A private family celebration of Dick's life will be held in December. Internment at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to the Arizona Women's Board in support of kidney health at www.authorsluncheonaz.org or AWB 5921 East Indian Bend Road Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253 [S938] Nebraska, U.S., Index to Marriages, 1909-1955. Name: Richard H Sykora Marriage Date: 1946 Marriage Place: Douglas, Nebraska, USA Certificate Number: 6077 [S940] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current. Name: Richard H. Sykora Gender: Male Residence Date: Abt 1946 Residence Place: Bruno Marriage Date: Abt 1946 Marriage Place: OMAHA, Nebraska, USA Parents: Richard Sykora Spouse: Marian Leonard