Richard "Rick" Quam

To join Rick's family for his Life Celebration Service please click on the Live-Stream link below Rick's obituary.

Richard (Rick) Quam, age 73, of Moorhead, MN and North Port, Florida passed away on March 30, 2024. 

Rick was born in Breckenridge Minnesota on August 15, 1950, to Stanley and Fern (Syvertson) Quam. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Wyndmere, ND, alongside two brothers and four sisters. He attended a rural country school his first four years and moved into Wyndmere School in 5^th grade. Rick graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1969. Furthering his education, he attended North Dakota State University in Fargo majoring in Animal Science/Ag Econ; graduating in 1975.

Rick was united in marriage to Charlotte Lyngaas Deal in 1985. Through his marriage, he was blessed to gain two special children, Michelle and Eric whom he was very proud of. 

While in high school, Rick operated a large hog and beef finishing operation on the family farm. He was very involved in the Wyndmere Future Farmers of America (FFA) Club in High School serving as Treasurer and Vice President of the chapter. He was honored and recognized in 1969 at the State FFA Convention as the Star State Farmer of North Dakota and he also received the North Dakota State Livestock Proficiency Award. He received a State Gold Award in Livestock Judging in 1968 and 1969 and he was on the Wyndmere Chapter Livestock Judging team which was composed of three individuals who received the first gold plaque for the Wyndmere Chapter.

In college, Rick was a member of the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho (Epsilon) Chapter. He was also a member of the men’s Rajah Cheering Club and the Animal Science Sirloin Club. Rick took two years off from college and operated a sow farrowing operation along with a yearling bred heifer program. After graduating from college Rick worked at MinnDak Sugar Beet plant in Wahpeton for five months prior to being hired by Farmers Home Administration in Alexandria, Pine City and Madison, Minnesota. While in the Pine City office, Rick was recognized by Minnesota State FmHA Office with a plaque and cash award for his servicing skills record.

In 1979 Rick started his career with AgCountry Farm Credit Services serving as Senior Loan Officer retiring in 2012 after 33 years, all in the Wahpeton branch office. Rick was involved in the Wahpeton community serving as chairman on the United Way Agriculture committee. He was also a member of the Ag Chamber Committee and served on the Wahpeton High School Vo-Ag Board for seven years, receiving the Honorary Chapter Farmer recognition. 

While at AgCountry Rick earned trips to Cancun and Hawaii for being in the top three employees for crop insurance sales within the Association. Rick was also in involved in processing the first ever Agriculture equipment lease through Production Credit Association in the United States in 1982.

Rick and Char owned a home on Lake Lida for 30 years; living year-round for 12 years prior to retirement. In 2016, they sold their lake home and moved to Moorhead. Prior to retiring they purchased a home in North Port, FL, in 2010 where they spent their winter months, meeting many wonderful friends along the way.

Rick always enjoyed having a home improvement project going but was best in his landscaping skills. He loved trees and flowers. In his early years he enjoyed deer, geese, and pheasant hunting. He also enjoyed researching topics, grilling, and going on his daily walks with Char. 

Rick is survived by wife Charlotte (Char); children, Michelle (Ryan) Mullikin, Dilworth, MN and Eric (Jami) Deal, Edina, MN; grandchildren, Shelby and Megan Mullikin, Ethan, Dylann, Lauren, and Alexa Deal; mother Fern Foyt; sisters, Sandy (Mike) Marion, Nancy (Frank) Hegseth, Susan Gast, and Karen (Daryl) Funk; brother, Randy (Pam) Quam; sisters-in-law, Doris Quam, Cheeri Hestdalen and Brenda (John) Schander;  he is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Stanley Quam; stepfather, Alfred Foyt; mother and father-in-law, Mary and Clayton (Bud) Lyngaas; brother, Robert Quam; infant brother, Ronald and infant sister, Mary; brothers-in-law, Eugene Gast, Darrel Hestdalen, and Larry Lyngaas. 

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Rick will begin at 9:00 AM followed by his Celebration of Life Service at 11:00, AM, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Hope Lutheran Church – South Campus, 3636 25th St. S. Fargo, ND