Richard F. “Dick” Grosskopf, 86, a 47-year resident of Wadsworth, Ill., was born April 6, 1927 in Pella to the late Milton and Sylvia Grosskopf and passed away Oct. 10, 2013, at the Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie surrounded by his wife and family.
Dick was the beloved husband of Mary E. (nee Carlson), whom he met in Janesville. They were married in 1954 and celebrated 59 years of marriage. Dick was the loving father of Jeffrey (Beth), Thomas (Jo Ann), Julie, David and Richard F. Jr. (Lori) Grosskopf; cherished grandfather of Melissa, Elyse, Lauren, Bryn, Brad, Eric, Jessica and Danielle; and fond brother of the late Janice Ripley.
He graduated from Shawano Community High School in 1945. While there he was an accomplished student athlete earning 11 varsity letters in four sports (football, basketball, golf and tennis) and appearing in Wisconsin state tournament finals for tennis and golf. He was inducted into the Shawano Community High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Immediately upon high school graduation in the spring of 1945, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. After his military service, Dick returned to his home state and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration in 1950. He was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity while at the university. After college he began a career as an insurance adjuster for the General Adjustment Bureau, which led him to a prosperous career as a public insurance adjuster and insurance restoration contractor in Lake County for over 30 years. He was a past Waukegan City Club member and parish family member at St. Patrick Church in Wadsworth.
Dick was an avid sportsman, involved in golf, hunting and fishing. He held a family membership at Midlane Country Club. He captained the Serenity out of Waukegan Harbor and created many a fisherman’s tale for those who came aboard.
Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 14, 2013, from 4–8 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Home 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee. Family and friends will gather at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at St. Patrick Church 15000 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, for funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
Contributions in Dick’s name may be made to Hospice Alliance Inc., 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158.
marshfuneralhome.com
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