Richard Markoff

Richard Markoff

June 1, 1938 – November 14, 2022

Richard Markoff was born June 1, 1938, to Keith and Neoma Markoff in Alliance, Nebraska.

He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Mote, on June 1, 1958. Richard attended Chadron State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He taught high school art along with coaching football and wrestling for 37 years before retiring in 1997.

He was a talented artist showing his work throughout Nebraska. He was a founding member of the Gallery 13 in Omaha in 1985. Until recently, he was a member of the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery in the Old Market, serving as a board member as well as serving on various committees.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Markoff. He is survived by children: Michelle Stokes (Tom) and Michael Markoff (Rhonda); grandchildren: Erin Powers (Jason), Megan Cash (Jeremy), Jacob Stokes, Joshua Stokes (Kelcie), and Madison (Luke) and Taylor Markoff; great-grandchildren: Asher and Landry Powers, Cecilia and Delilah Cash, Isla Stokes; sister, Joann Tolstedt (Frank); nieces, nephews, and many friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Monday, November 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 84th & Pacific. 

Memorials are suggested to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

14 Comments

  • Aaron Smith Posted November 17, 2022 10:59 am

    Sorry for your loss.

  • Bill Winchell Posted November 17, 2022 3:28 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Coach Markhoff made a big impression on me as a Sophomore football player in the fall of 1972. He was a great man with a super personality and sense of humor!

  • Sara Adams Posted November 17, 2022 3:55 pm

    My sincerest condolences 💐

  • Tammy and Wayne Garman Posted November 17, 2022 4:24 pm

    So sorry for your loss, Hugs from all of us in Arkansas

  • Patti (Silliman) Besler Posted November 18, 2022 6:36 am

    I remember “Mr. Markoff” as a kind, encouraging art teacher who had the ability to help his students stretch their abilities and increase their confidence. He was my favorite teacher. 10 years later my sister also had him as her art teacher. My sister returned to school after a devastating auto accident that left her scarred. When others made her return to classes difficult, her favorite teacher “Mr. Markoff” helped her find her ability to find solace and satisfaction through her art. The world needs more teachers of his caliber.

  • Lori Elliott-Bartle Posted November 18, 2022 4:57 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you all. I knew Rich from the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, where he was always generous with advice and guidance as well as great humor and sense of fun. We had the delight of sharing a June 1 birthday 25 years apart. I suspect there’s a great trove of stories that will be shared and I hope you find comfort in telling them together.

  • Angela Harr Posted November 18, 2022 5:43 pm

    He was a good teacher and and a good coach!

  • Melissa Bonacci Posted November 20, 2022 9:06 am

    Mr. Markoff was hands down one of the 3 favorite teachers of my lifetime.. He encouraged art that i didn’t even know was inside me!!! I still have all my sculptures I created in high school… He was one of my greatest encouragers in life in high school and after… We made a cowboy boot together in high school and it won a county award.. I think he may still have had it.. He loved that boot.. Lol.. I loved Mr Markoff and he loved his students so much.. Rest in power Mr Markoff create art in the heavens now. ❤❤❤❤

  • Angie Yelinek Hawkins Posted November 20, 2022 2:36 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Markoff was such a bright light in the lives of so many students at Northwest High School & we are forever grateful. My favorite memories are when he, my dad. & Mr. Kasson would paint together over the summers. My best days were when they had breakfast at our house or I got to take them lunch. Hugs to your family & thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.

  • Bob Mackie Posted November 20, 2022 3:06 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. Dick Markoff was one of the very best associates I had during my years in education! R.I.P. good guy!

  • Roger Frakes Posted November 20, 2022 3:55 pm

    So sorry to hear this. He was an awesome man. I had him for all three years in art and really enjoyed him.

  • joan Fetter Posted November 20, 2022 8:30 pm

    My sympathy on the loss of Richard; was a member at Artist Cooperative Gallery for many years;where he was a valued and wonderful member; prayers and condolences on your loss.

  • Charles Rush Posted November 21, 2022 2:18 pm

    I met Dick when I joined the Northwest staff in the fall of 1977. He was an excellent teacher and coach. it was my good fortune to be on the same staff with him for 16 years. And as good as he was as a teacher and coach, he was an even better person. God bless him and his family. Charlie Rush

  • Daniel R Liska Posted November 21, 2022 10:31 pm

    You will be missed and you were a great coach for me both in football 🏈 and wrestling 🤼‍♀️ and you were a great influence on me love you and see you on the other side.

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