On the Bench with Byron Higgin
Nothing shocked the community as much as the death of Richard “Fuzzy” Downing, 69, last week. He died in a car accident near Minneota and the entire area was in shock.
The affable Downing could be seen at most any Minneota sporting event. He was the grandfather of the Sussner clan, and as such, followed his grandchildren at all their games. Lydia and Logan Sussner have attained high school fame and Fuzzy was there to see the whole thing.
A native of Porter and graduate of Minneota High School, he grew up with wrestling in his blood. But as his grandchildren became basketball, volleyball and football players, Fuzzy was there to cheer them on.
He also attended games and events of his other grandchildren. He was famous for his Fu Manchu mustache and long silver hair and he worked hard all his life in road construction and for Lyon County for 32 years was a member of the Minneota Fire Department for 25 years.
After retirement, he worked for Runnings and part time for Bruce Van Keulen and Sterzinger Construction Inc. He likely was going to work early in the morning when he passed away. Fuzzy had a tender heart and a love for kids and animals.
He raised pheasants and cared for random birds, turtles, ducks, and more. He enjoyed restoring old vehicles and driving trucks. Quite often Fuzzy could be found delivering vegetables to friends on his golf cart. He enjoyed visiting with anyone (and everyone). In addition to the Minneota Vikings, Fuzzy was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.
Fuzzy was everyone’s friend. He’ll be sorely missed by his family. And the rest of us will find the basketball courts, football fields, school events and wrestling arenas a little more empty because Fuzzy won’t be there. He will be missed!
ODDS & ENDS:
•At Saturday’s scrimmage in Tracy, the Vikings primarily used Kade Lozinski as the quarterback. Isaac Pohlen took most of his snaps on the JV but did run the varsity offense for a time.
•It appears Phillip Jung, the foreign exchange student from Austria, has won the kicking job and will kick the extra point attempts for the Vikings this year. He is a soccer-style kicker.
• The Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team opens the 2019 season ranked No. 9 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Preseason Poll released on Tuesday. They compete Thursday in the Michigan Tech Classic in Houghton, Michigan. Minneota’s Lydia Sussner is a member of the team.