Rick Adkins Jr.

Longtime AQHA member and AQHA Director Richard “Rick” E. Adkins Jr., 82, of Laurel, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. on Monday December 8, 2025, at Faith Community Church in Laurel with the Rev. Chris Clinchard officiating. Burial will be at the Laurel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, at the church, and will continue on Monday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

Following the service, attendees are invited to the Laurel Community Center for lunch, where the family will join them following the burial.

Pallbearers: Brandon Baller, John Konecne, Jerry Kastrup, Marty Stewart, Keith Knudsen, Rich Erwin, Ben Landgren, Sam Landgren. Honorary pallbearers: Rick’s grandchildren Jamie Bollwitt, Mark Becker, Joni Goulding, Susie Koranda, and John Skretta; and his brother Jack Adkins.

Rick Eugene was born on August 1, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to Richard (Dick) and Mary "Mollie" (Clasper)  Adkins. They relocated to Osmond, Nebraska, following the completion of Dick’s war service. Rick graduated from Osmond High School and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and business and a master’s degree in agronomy. He married Joan Skinner of Wisner, on June 5, 1966.

Rick began his career as a Nebraska County Extension Agent centering his expertise on the youth and livestock programs. In 1970, he entered the banking profession with Geneva State Bank and moved his family to Laurel upon the family’s acquisition of Security National Bank. Due to the unexpected death of his father, Rick became CEO and president in 1980. He served as president of the Nebraska Bankers Association from 1999 to 2000, and served on numerous NBA and ABA committees, including the Nebraska Executive Board. His commitment to the NBA continued throughout his banking career. He especially enjoyed being on the selection committee for the NBA Leadership Program, a role he cherished because it allowed him to meet and encourage the next generation of bank leaders. In 2015, he retired as bank CEO and president but remained chairman of the Security Bank Board of Directors until his death. Rick was recognized for 50 years of service to commercial banking by the NBA and Security Bank staff. Throughout his career in extension and with the bank, his commitment to service has been strong.

Rick was widely known for his deep commitment to his community and beyond, demonstrated through the many leadership roles he held and his continual generosity. He served as president of the Laurel Chamber, was a member of the Laurel Care Center Board of Directors, participated in the Economic Development Committee, aided in the advancement of the school and childcare center, and acted as financial chairman of Faith Community Church.

Rick also contributed his expertise on numerous state and national committees promoting banking, 4-H and other community-focused initiatives. He and his wife, Joan, were devoted advocates for community development, freely giving their time and resources because they believed that strong, connected communities benefit everyone. Rick’s passion for livestock also shaped his long-standing involvement as a 4-H leader, where he became an enthusiastic supporter of youth activities and the next generation of agricultural leaders.

In 1998, Rick began pursuing his hobby of horse riding, and through countless hours in the barn practicing, became a champion rider. He won an AQHA world championship in Select trail with Classic Deesire. Rick also was the National Snaffle Bit Association year-end high-point in Select trail in 2012 and by AQHA in 2013. He was the 2014 All American Quarter Horse Congress Select trail champion.

He served several terms as the president of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Association. Since 2010, Rick also served as an AQHA national director. Prior to his own riding career, he served as the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association leader for several years, and in 1998 was named the AQHA National Outstanding Youth Leader. Rick recently learned that he had been selected for induction into the prestigious Nebraska Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in January 2026.

Rick’s greatest joy was spending time with his four daughters and their families with many family trips. Through the years, he watched countless sporting events, dance recitals, music concerts and 4-H activities, always promoting academic achievement. He took great pride that all his daughters possess advanced professional and academic degrees in various professions.

Rick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan, Laurel; his four daughters and their spouses Sara (John) Skretta, Lincoln, Nebraska; Amy Adkins, Houston, Texas; Betsy (Mark) Becker, Valley; Nebraska and Megan Adkins-Bollwitt (Jamie), Kearney, Nebraska; brother Jack (Judi) Adkins, Mesa, Arizona; and sister Mary Nyberg, Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law Gail (Hal) West, Champlain, Minnesota; and brother-in-law Brent (Denise) Skinner, Minnetonka, Minnesota. Grandchildren include Sam and Ben Landgren, Claire Gangwish, Tony and Coby Skretta, and Bailey (Rudy) Stofer. Great-grandchild Charlotte Stofer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dick and Mollie Adkins, in-laws Jess and Edith Skinner, brother-in-law David Nyberg and son-in-law Mark Landgren.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the Rick Adkins Memorial Fund c/o Security Bank P.O. Box 278 202 E Second St., Laurel, NE for future designations.