Died: 11 June 2012
Pietsch, Richard A. “Dick” Of Wauwatosa, passed away 11 June 2012, at the age of 86 years.
He was the beloved husband of the late Betty Lee (Robertson) Luft Pietsch, the dear father of Kari (Stu) Wangard) Pietsch-Wangard and step-father of Lee (Suzanne) Luft, Linda (Tom) Smith, and Dr. John Luft. He is also lovingly remembered by five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, a special friend Mary Lou Mattner, other family and friends.
Dick graduated from Northwestern Military Academy. After attending Wabash College, he joined the U.S. Navy. He proudly served on the USS Alaska during World War II. Upon returning home he joined his father, Alfred, at the A.J. Pietsch Co., which was established in 1916. Dick, upon his father’s death in 1961, ran the company until he retired in 1993. He was a founding member of the Brookfield Congregational United Church of Christ and the Western Racquet Club. Dick was a 55 year member of the Wauwatosa Kiwanis Club, a longtime member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and the Master Builders Association of Wisconsin, of which he served as president in 1982. Dick was by nature very vivacious.
Always ready with a smile and a good word. Dick loved singing in the church choir and was an accomplished accordion player, being able to play just by the feel of the keys. Dick loved being outdoors. In summer he was an avid sailor, tennis player and water skier. In winter he would strap on his ice skates or skis (both downhill and cross-country). He enjoyed dancing, but what he loved most was spending time hiking in the woods at the family cabin near Cable, Wisconsin on Lake Namakagon.
Visitation was held at the Funeral Home on Friday, 15 June from 4 to 7 PM. A second visitation was held Saturday, 16 June at Brookfield Congregational United Church of Christ, (16350 W. Gebhart Rd., Brookfield), from 10 AM until the time of Service at 11 AM. Private family Graveside Services were held at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s memory would be appreciated to the Cable Natural History Museum, Milwaukee Sailing Center or the Wauwatosa Kiwanis Club.
Dick is listed in the 4th edition of the Seidemann Family Tree Book on page xi as giving a Donor Memorial to the 4th Edition Seidemann Family Tree Book in Loving Memory of: his wife Betty Lee (Robertson) Luft Pietsch.