Saturday, November 14, 2026
Richard “Dick” Gady, age 79, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 17, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Wilbur Gady of Sadorus, Illinois; his sister, Linda Wallis Sauer of Nashville, Tennessee; and his granddaughter, Chloe. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Gady; his children, Jennifer Corrick (Bret), Steve Gady (Tracy), and Mike Gady (Susan); his grandchildren Kelin, Lucie, Nora, and Sam; great grandson Kasstin; and sister Pam Gady (Gary).
Dick retired with Nancy to Marco Island, Florida, and Nisswa, Minnesota, after 30 years at ConAgra. He was Chief Economist and Vice President of Public Affairs with ConAgra. During his tenure as Chief Economist, he served as a board member for Thrivent Financial, The National Chamber of Commerce, and a European Economist Trade Group. Dick was a respected agricultural economist who spoke with groups all over the world imparting his ag econ expertise.
Dick grew up on a farm in Sadorus, Illinois. He loved showing cattle and was involved in 4-H Club from childhood through college. His farming roots led him to a degree in Ag Econ at the University of Illinois and to go on to get his PhD in Ag Econ at Purdue University. He did take time during those college years to get married to Nancy and have his first child, Jennifer.
One of Dick’s greatest passions was the outdoors. He grew up going on lake vacations in Wisconsin on Lake Nicaboyne with his family and continued the tradition of annual lake vacations with his own family, spending 90% of his time fishing with his friend Ron Cekander. Dick never met a fish he didn’t like. He also loved to hunt ducks and pheasants, play golf, bird watch, boat, ski, and in his retired years, make wood bowls. Nature and conservation were important to him, and he was involved with The Nature Conservancy.
His faith was also important to him. His Lutheran upbringing remained part of his identity throughout his life and he served in many various capacities at his church from treasurer to vice president of the church council.
After retiring, traveling the world with Nancy was a huge part of Dick’s life. Some of his favorite trips were to Africa, Egypt, and Israel. He carefully kept documented photo albums of the hundreds of pictures he took on his travels.
Most of all, Dick loved and was greatly loved by his family. As both a father and grandpa, Dick was generous with his time and affection, and could often be found reading to his grandchildren, taking them fishing, and teasing them mercilessly. We loved Dick for his sense of humor and perfect comedic timing, his sharp intelligence, humility, generosity, and kind, loving nature.
Memorials may be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association, or Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, Florida 34145.
