Richard (Dick) Doede left this world peacefully and joined Heaven’s “Big Band” on Friday, April 11, 2025. He was born in Valley City, North Dakota on April 2, 1927, and spent his childhood in Minot, North Dakota. Richard began his musical career on the violin from age 4 to 11. At age 11, he received his first saxophone from his grandparents. His love for saxophone marked the beginning of a life-long passion for music. He played saxophone throughout his school years, and he continued playing when he joined the Navy at age 18. He proudly served on the USS Point Cruise from 1945 to 1948 as a gunner mate first class.
Upon leaving the Navy, Richard returned to Minot and went to work for the Great Northern Railroad. And, he continued his love for music by starting his own big band, which performed throughout North Dakota. In 1969, he decided to go to college and pursue a degree in music education. While attending college, he continued to work on the railroad. He graduated from Minot State College in 1973 and began his teaching career in Lansford, North Dakota.
Richard first visited Carson City in 1974 while traveling from North Dakota to California to visit his sister. He loved the area so much; he inquired about available band positions within the Carson City School District. He was soon hired as band director at the junior high school. He was the first band teacher to march a junior high band in the Nevada Day Parade. He left the junior high to begin an elementary band program for fifth and sixth graders at Bordewich, Fremont, Fritsch, and Seeliger elementary schools. He was also the first to march a sixth grade band in the Nevada Day Parade. He returned to the middle school in 1993, and he proudly marched with his students on many Nevada Days until his retirement in 1999.
In 1978, the elementary band program had grown so much under his leadership that the school district hired an additional teacher. That’s when Carol Yeager entered his life. They quickly became best friends, sharing a great love for music and teaching. They also shared a joy for travel and toured the world together for many years. They married in 2001.
Richard founded the Capital City Community Band in 1978. It was organized as a venue for adults to continue their love for music. Under his leadership to band grew from 12 to 48 and traveled to perform at Expo88 in Brisbane, Australia, and in Davos, Switzerland in 1995. Richard received a Governor’s Proclamation upon his retirement in 2018. The band continues to thrive and performs locally today.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Michael and daughter-in-law Debbie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews; grand nephews and nieces; and great-grand nephews and nieces.
Richard led a good and admirable life, and he touched many, many lives along the way. He will be dearly missed by all.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The Capital City Community Band will hold a concert dedicated to Richard on Sunday, June 1 at the Legislative Mall at 2:00. If you would like to honor Richard by making a donation to the band, you may do so at the concert or by sending a check to the band at PO Box 443, Carson City, Nevada 89702.