Herbert Richtermeyer, 98, of Grand Pass, Missouri, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 23, 2026, from an unexpected complication of kidney failure after receiving a lifesaving heart stent on September 15, at the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. After a lifetime devoted to his country, family, faith, education and community, Herbert’s work on earth was complete.
Herbert’s service will be on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at St. Luke United Church of Christ at 2007 Baskin Street, Grand Pass, Missouri 65339. Visitation start at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke UCC with the funeral following at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service for both Herbert (August 31, 1928-September 23, 2026) and Beverly Ann Summers Richtermeyer (March 29, 1932-December 7, 2023) will be held at Mt. Nebo Cemetery west of Grand Pass on Highway 65. Guests are invited to return to St. Luke’s fellowship hall to enjoy lunch and sharing memories of Herbert and Beverly.
In lieu of flowers please consider, memorials to St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Grand Pass and/or to the Brooke and Bridget Summers post-secondary education fund (payable to Edward Jones). Their continued education was very important to Beverly and Herbert.
Herbert was born August 31, 1928, in the Richtermeyer family home in the Missouri River bottoms, two miles north of Grand Pass, a Centennial Farm. He was the only child of Frank and Fredericka “Reekie” Richtermeyer. He graduated in 1946 from Grand Pass High School and developed a lifelong passion for mechanics, building and fixing things with his hands.
Herbert and Beverly were married December 17, 1950, and shared 74 years, 11 months and 7 days together.
In 1950, Herbert joined the United States Air Force. He received aircraft and engine training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he became an instructor and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. During the Korean Conflict, he served as a C-47 and “Flying Boxcar” maintenance instructor at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska. His wife, Beverly, accompanied him during his military service.
They returned to Grand Pass in 1954, purchased the family home and began the life that would keep Herbert rooted in the community he loved.
In 1955, Herbert opened Richtermeyer Garage, where he repaired everything from cars and farm equipment to lawnmowers and tractors. He was also well known for stopping to help stranded motorists along the highway.
In 1968, Herbert became the first automotive instructor at the Saline County Career Center and retired in 1998. For over 30 years he taught generations of students the skills of automotive repair and troubleshooting. His students earned numerous honors in state and national competitions, including a national championship in 1996 in Washington DC.
Herbert was a lifetime member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Grand Pass, a 74-year member of Masonic Lodge #61, founding member of the rural fire district and was active in the Waverly Lions Club, 4-H leader and Sunday school teacher. He remained deeply connected to the Grand Pass community.
During their retirement years, Herbert and Beverly opened their home and hearts to their grandnieces, Brooke and Bridget Summers. They helped guide and encourage the girls as they grew into independent young women pursuing careers in the health sciences.
Herbert’s family was the center of his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverly Ann Summers Richtermeyer (March 29, 1932-December 7, 2023) and his son-in-law, David Michael “Mike” Shemwell (June 16, 1954- November 29, 2025) He is survived by his daughters Lisa Shemwell and Lita Jimenez.
Lisa Ann Shemwell divides her time between Bentonville, Arkansas, Grand Pass and Los Altos, California. Granddaughter Sarah Ann Shemwell-Jones, married Christopher Lee Jones in June 2010, and live in Bentonville, Arkansas with the great-grandchildren, Jackson Shemwell Jones and Ella Ann Jones.
Lita Kay Jimenez lives in St. Charles, Illinois, with her husband Edgar. His grandsons Kerry Robert lives in Bensenville, Illinois; Michael Edgar, lives in Morrison, Colorado, with his wife, Lissa May Margharos Jimenez, great-grandson, Leo; and granddaughter, Carlita Leeann Jimenez resides in San Diego, California.
Grandnieces Brooke and Bridget Summers are living locally as they continue their education.
Lita and Lisa both graduated from the University of Central Missouri, Lisa spent much of her professional career with Hewlett-Packard, working in worldwide network and data center management. Lita worked in financial management for Garvey International and CK Industries.
Since Beverly’s death, Herbert could often be found on the front porch swing of the family home, watching the seasons change across the Missouri River bottoms that he had known and loved all his life.
In September 2026, the Waverly Apple Jubilee honored Herbert as one of the Grand Marshal, recognizing a lifetime of service to his country, community and family.
Herbert’s legacy will live on through the many students he taught, people he helped, and generations of family who carry forward the values he lived every day: faith, family, service, hard work and giving back to others.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
