Richard was born on March 24, 1941, in Denver, Colorado, to Johnnie Calvin Metteer and Illa Luella Mills Metteer. He grew up in Lynch, Hadar, and Brainard, Nebraska, in humble circumstances that would shape his lifelong commitment to education and helping others succeed. He made an immeasurable impact through a lifetime spent guiding, mentoring, and encouraging others.
On February 29, 1964, a leap day, Richard went on a blind date with Jeannette Lambrecht. As he later wrote, “Jeannette taught me what love is and it was the beginning of a wonderful life with her and later our family.” They married on December 26, 1964, in Laurel, Nebraska, and shared over 60 years together.
Richard dedicated 34 years to the Wayne Community Schools, serving as an elementary principal and later as middle school principal. He coached a state championship girls’ golf team in 1988, basketball, football, track, and tennis. He helped develop a program for students with learning disabilities. “Project Success for the SLD Child,” was recognized by the federal government as one of the best in the nation. Beyond the classroom, he compiled and published books honoring Wayne County veterans and he helped establish monuments to fallen soldiers.
To his students and colleagues, he was Mr. Metteer. To his children, he was Dad. To his grandchildren, he was Grandpa. And to his great-grandchildren, he was Boppa.
He wrote and titled his own memoir “From ‘mud ears’ to Mr. Metteer in a lifetime,” a reference to what he was called in Lynch while growing up poor. A teacher once told him, in front of his classmates, that he would never amount to anything. Richard spent the rest of his life quietly proving otherwise, not out of spite, but through steady work, faith, and love.
He believed that “God works in mysterious ways if we will let him,” and he saw divine guidance in the people who changed his path, a guidance counselor who suggested college, a superintendent who offered him a chance at administration. He was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Norfolk in 1960, and his faith remained central to his life. Richard saw so much of God’s work and always took time to recognize it.
Richard loved researching ancestry, fishing, woodworking, gardening, Husker football and volleyball, golf, traveling with Jeannette, and his many family members. In later years, he and Jeannette lived in Lincoln, where he spent his days helping his family, attending his grandchildren’s activities.
He loved dogs and he raised Boston Terrier puppies with Jeannette. They had many other dogs, and he often cared for the pets of his loved ones. He enjoyed taking R.J.’s Pug on walks and helping care for foster dogs with Julie.
Richard is survived by his wife, Jeannette Metteer; his children, Rick (Peggy) Metteer, Linda Metteer, R.J. (Monica Long) Metteer, and Julie Metteer; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wayne Metteer; his sister, Ruth Ann Droescher; his parents-in-law, Carl and Nora Lambrecht; and his brother-in-law, Donald L. Herrmann.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 27, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S 70th St, Lincoln, Nebraska. The family will be available to greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.
An additional Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 421 N. Pearl St, Wayne, Nebraska.