Richard Edward Hazlitt, lovingly referred to as Richie, 57, of Eaton, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Swedish Medical Center. He was born on October 21, 1968, in Sidney, Nebraska, to Rich and Carol Hazlitt. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1987 and shortly thereafter entered the workforce as an electrician, working both independently and as a journeyman electrician. Richard also spent time in wind farm management, which he greatly enjoyed.

His career in the wind industry allowed him to live in many different places, including Iron Ridge, WI, Ricardo, TX, and Mountain Top, PA, before eventually settling in Eaton, CO. Rich cherished taking his son, Chris, along to see the country, making countless friends along the way and spending hours conversing on the phone with family during his travels across the USA. A man of faith, he was rebaptized at the Northern Colorado Cowboy Church in Lucerne, where he deeply loved the congregation and kept God close to his heart. Rich brought a funny, kind-hearted warmth wherever he went, famously dancing around like a crab on hot sand at family gatherings. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Harry Richard Hazlitt and Carol Jeanette (Bayne) Hazlitt, and his sisters, Cherie Cox and Susie McMillen.

He is survived by his son, Christopher Willey; his sister, Nancy (Keith) Hughes of Chappell, NE; and his brother-in-law, Charlie Cox of Eaton, CO. He is also survived by many loved ones, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 11th Avenue in Evans, Colorado. A graveside service will follow at Eaton Cemetery, 501 South Christensen Avenue, Eaton, Colorado, and a Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Legacy, 124 1st Street, Eaton, Colorado.