Richard W. Parker Obituary
Richard "Dick" W. Parker, age 91 of Hubertus, Wisconsin went to join his Creator on September 26, 2023, peacefully passing away in the company of his beloved wife of 60 years Pamela (nee Jankoski) and caring family. Lovingly remembered as caring husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle.
Dick was born on February 11, 1932 in Appleton, Wisconsin as the third oldest of four children to Rawley and Josephine (nee Nytes). He spent his boyhood years in Appleton, attending St Therese Grade School and St Mary Menasha High School. As a teenager, when not busy with school, he worked with his father and brothers in the family drycleaning/laundry business, serving the many customers throughout the Fox River Valley Area.
He enlisted in the military in 1952, proudly serving in the Army Corps of Engineers in numerous engineering assignments in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Alabama. He was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Corporal. His time with the Army Corps helped to shape the rest of his life; it was there he discovered his high mechanical aptitude. After his military service, Dick returned home to Wisconsin and continued to pursue his interests in Mechanical Engineering at Marquette University. While at Marquette he joined Sigma Phi Delta fraternity where his fellow "brothers" gave him the name "Pops", since he started college later in life. He graduated from Marquette in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering degree. After graduation he began work as an engineer with Nordberg (Rexnord) Manufacturing and went on to enjoy a 38 year career with them, retiring in 1994, as Engineering Manager.
Dick met the love of his life, Pam, while spending summers water skiing on Pewaukee Lake during his college years. Dick and Pam were married on May 25, 1963. As nurturing parents, he and Pam raised their five boys, enjoying year-round family time at their cottage he designed and built on Little Sand Lake in northern Wisconsin. The cottage, affectionately known as "Parker's Palace", was where he taught his boys his love of hunting, the outdoors, and family time. As devoted family man, he worked hard and provided for his family throughout his life, always guiding his sons in his own quiet manner, instilling in all of them the same importance of family, hard work and purpose in life that he lived by.
After retirement, Dick dedicated his time and energy to his grandchildren, as well as his love of woodworking. He spent many hours making special gifts for his family; doll houses, play tables and study desks for his grand kids. His legacy for his boys was designing and crafting a wooden canoe for each of them, his crowning achievement in his woodcraft.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Rawley and Josephine Parker; by his brothers John (Hazel) Parker and Robert (Margaret) Parker; his parents-in law, Mike and Christine Jankoski: and brother-in-law, Lloyd Wieman. In addition to his wife Pamela, Dick is survived by his sister Leila (nee Becher), sister-in-law Mavourneen Wieman (nee Jankoski) and five children: Michael (Patti), Jon, Daniel (Julie), William (Jodi) and Paul (Stefanie). Dick is further survived by grandchildren Jordan, Morgan (Christian Walz), Tyler, Jacob, Paige, Leo, Sophie, Alex, Grace, and Claire; great grandchildren Nolan and Nora; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday October 5, 2023 at St.Gabriel Catholic Parish, 1200 St. Gabriel Way Hubertus, WI from 10:00am until Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 12:00PM. Private entombment at St. Mary Mother of God in Menomonee Falls.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Community Memorial Hospital Menomonee Falls Foundation or St. Gabriel Catholic Parish.
