Richard (Doc) William Kahle, a retired Optometrist, 89 of Lincoln, Ne. passed away Monday, January 5, 2015.  Born February 16, 1925 in Crete, Ne. to William and Martha (Plessman) Kahle.  After Richards mother passed away he lived with his older married sister Martha and her husband Byron Panter.  Richard graduated from Dorchester High School in 1943, then attended Doane College through the V-12 Program until Oct. 1944, then Midshipman School, Naval Officers School and Mine Warfare School.  He served overseas in the South Pacific during WWII until 1946.  He returned to Doane from 1946-1948 and graduated with a degree in Mathematics.  He then attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, was a Member of the Tomb & Key Honor Fraternity and graduated Cum Laude Sept. 1950.  He opened his professional office of Optometry Jan. 1951 in Crete, Ne.  Richard married his sweetheart Lenore Eileen Kennedy July 1945.  He moved his practice and family to Hastings, Ne, in 1962 and later joined Pearl Vision.  In 1988 moved to Lincoln and continued to work for Pearl Vision until his retirement.  Richard had three sons and one daughter.  Lenore passed away June 1987.  Richard married Marilyn Jean Esquivel in 1988.

Richard was very thoughtful and loving, and will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.  He loved to golf, hunt, fish, travel and read.  He enjoyed collecting old bottles throughout his life.  Richard did a lot of charity work, including a trip to the Honduras to perform eye exams and dispense eye glasses.  His trip of a lifetime was with his brother Robert and nephew Bob to Africa in 1996.  Richard was always active in the church, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Southminster United Methodist Church Lincoln, Ne.  He was Chairman of the eight-county Pony Express District, Overland Trails Council of Boy Scouts, Lions Club President, Member of the American Legion, Member of the Midwest Canoe Association.  He and Lenore enjoyed being with friends through a Dance Club and Card Club while living in Hastings.

Survivors:  Wife Jean, Son Richard L. Kahle of Lincoln, Ne., Son & Daughter-in-Law David Kahle and Jeannie Foust of Omaha, Ne., Son & Daughter-in-law Daniel and Cynthia Kahle of Gloucester, VA , Daughter & Son-in-Law Debra and Garry Mueller of Pickrell, Ne, Brother & Sister-in-Law Robert and Emma Kahle of Walnut, CA., Brother & Sister-in-Law Gerald and Vivian Kahle of Tulsa, OK.   Grandchildren; Blaine, Bryce, Neil, Jeffrey, Christy, Jennifer, Michael, Brady and Lacy.  10 Great Grandchildren.  Step sons Allen Esquivel, Gene Esquivel, 7 step grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren.

Preceded in Death:  Parents William & Martha (Plessman) Kahle, Sisters Helen, Martha and Jean, brothers William and Edward.  Wife Lenore (Kennedy) Kahle of 42 years.  Granddaughter Heidi Kahle.

There will be a private Celebration of Life Service for friends and family on February 22, 2015.