Richard William Payant of Castlewood, South Dakota, and Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on October 3, 2023, in Lincoln at the age of 84.  Prior to moving to Castlewood and Lincoln in 2019, Richard lived for over 35 years in the Tampa Bay Area in Florida and was previously a resident of Omaha, Nebraska.

Richard was born in Nassau County Long Island, New York, on April 25, 1939, to Alfred Heuck and Yolanda (Simasek) Heuck.  His parents divorced when he was five years old.  His mother was subsequently remarried to Beverly Aurthur (B.A.) Payant and the new family moved to Hialeah, Florida where B.A. adopted Richard at the age of 15.

Richard graduated from Miami-Dade Technical High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He served eight years active duty stationed in Alconbury, England, and Omaha, Nebraska.  Richard was extremely proud of his military service and served another 18 years as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer in the United States Army Reserve retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after 26 years of service across both branches.  To his family's joy, Richard never passed a military base he didn't want to visit, making them stop on many, many family vacations.

After his service in the Air Force, Richard earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  It was during this time that he met Wanda Ruth Haug, who would become his wife and life partner for more than 55 years.

Richard and Wanda (Haug) Payant were married at the Hamlin Reformed Church in rural Castlewood, South Dakota, on December 30, 1967.

Richard went on to earn a Master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctorate degree from The University of South Dakota.  Richard spent more than 40 years as a practicing attorney and was a member of the State Bar Associations in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Richard loved his family very much.  He also loved Husker sports and regularly cheered on the football, volleyball and baseball teams.  He was a loyal fan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, watching them claim two Super Bowl Championships, and regularly cheered on the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.  Richard was also a fan and supporter of the Castlewood Ravens, and Castlewood Monarch Baseball teams, and he was a regular fixture in the stands with his brother-in-law Michael.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Haug) Payant of Castlewood, South Dakota, and Lincoln, Nebraska.  Sons Sean Payant (Marla) of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jason Payant (Marie-Claude) of Western Springs, Illinois; grandchildren, Samantha Payant (fiancé, Ashton Campbell) and Christopher Payant of Lincoln, Nebraska; Kate Payant, William Payant, and Harrison Payant of Western Springs, Illinois.  Brother, Kenneth Payant of Tampa, Florida; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael and Jean Haug of Brandon, South Dakota, and sister-in-law, Lillian Haug of Lake Nordon, South Dakota, as well as one niece, four nephews, and their spouses.

His family will miss him dearly, particularly his intelligence and humor.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, B.A. and Yolanda Payant; biological father and stepmother, Alfred and Edith Heuck; half-brother Arthur Payant; half-sister Judy Heuck; nephew Stanley Payant and niece Sandy (Payant) Lee.

He often said he won the lottery by marrying into the Haug family.  He is also preceded in death by his beloved in-laws Floyd and Gladys Haug as well as his favorite fishing buddy and brother-in-law, Lynn Haug.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the New Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood, South Dakota.  A graveside service and burial will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Hamlin Reformed Church Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the Hamlin Reformed Church, 46397 186th St., Castlewood, SD, 57223.