Richard Patrick Slack MacPhie

Richard, born August 28, 1962, in Minneapolis, MN, passed away in the early hours of September 9, 2026, with two of his three daughters by his side. He was 64 years old.

Richard was raised in Richfield, MN, by his loving grandfather. A proud, enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Richard carried a lifelong passion for culture, language, and continuous learning. Straight out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served with distinction on the East German border as part of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Combat Aviation Troop during the early 1980s. It was here that he discovered his love for helicopters and taught himself fluent German, the first of several languages he would learn. Driven by a lifelong curiosity, he went on to master conversational Russian and introductory Ojibwe, and could even communicate passably in Spanish and French.

Richard was a true Renaissance man and a gifted artist across many mediums. In Minneapolis, his creative voice reached many through his published cartoon, The Northern Mystique, and through City Nights, a Twin Cities magazine he founded. A prolific writer, he self-published a novel, authored books for others, mastered technical writing, and penned several screenplays. His artistry extended seamlessly into music; he taught himself both bass and acoustic guitar, eventually recording and releasing a CD of his original music.

Above all his vast accomplishments, Richard’s greatest joy was his family. He was a remarkably active, dedicated father to his three daughters and a doting grandfather to his six grandchildren. He found great joy in passing down his love for sports, chess, movies, and the pursuit of knowledge. Armed with a sharp wit and a fun sense of humor, Richard was a master storyteller who left everyone he met with a reason to laugh, especially his beloved grandchildren.

To say he will be deeply missed cannot fully encapsulate the profound loss felt by those who must now walk forward without his stories, his advice, his jokes, and his never-ending love.

He is lovingly remembered and survived by his three daughters, Kirsten, Shannon, and Heather; his six cherished grandchildren, Colton, Noelani, Michael, Kenji, Orion, and Evelyn plus a host of extended family, friends, and fellow veterans who will keep his memory alive forever.

Memorial Services

The family invites all who knew and loved Richard to join them in celebrating his incredible life at either of the two upcoming memorial services:

• Denver Service

  • Date: October 6, 2026

  • Location: Leo's Sports Bar and Billiards (2525 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO)

  • Time: Guests arrive at 6:30 PM | Ceremony begins at 7:30 PM

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• Minneapolis Service

  • Date: November 9, 2026

  • Location: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Time: 2:00 PM

  • Reception at Fred Babcock VFW Post 5555 6715 Lakeshore Dr S Richfield MN 55423

  • Time: 3:30