Richard Leland Hartwig was born September 21, 1953 at Marshall, MO, to George and Jacqueline (Gaut) Hartwig. He grew up in the Marshall and Independence area and graduated from Young High School in Independence in 1972. He lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Phillip, SD, west of Parkston and moved to Mitchell in April of 2006. He was a member of First Reformed Church in Mitchell.

He is survived by his parents, Ronald and Jackie Wright of Mitchell, SD; two brothers, George R. Hartwig and wife, Laurel of Gloversville, NY and Ronald Hartwig and wife, Charlotte of Kearney, MO; one step-brother, Randy Mahoney and wife, Rhonda of Appleton, WI and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, George in 1964 and his grandparents.