Richard L. “Waubano” Awonohopay left for the spirit world on Sept. 24, 2015. He was 69 years old.
Waubano was born on Aug. 9, 1946, to the late Johnson and Frances (Pyawasit) Awonohopay, of Zoar. He was a proud member of the Menominee Nation. Waubano was a Menominee tribal leader, a cultural and spiritual leader, a teacher, a writer, a musician, a composer and a powwow participant. He was proud of his 16 years in law enforcement for the Menominee Tribe, where he served as a conservation warden, a tribal deputy, a court bailiff, and was elected chief of police. He had served on the Menominee Tribal Legislature, the Menominee School Board, and held several other positions within the tribe.
He had been a bass guitarist and vocalist with the Wolf River Band and Flying Feather Band. He composed several songs and authored a children’s book that he hoped to publish one day. He was a member of Big Drum, where he held many high positions throughout Indian Country. In recent years, he was most active as a cultural and spiritual leader, where he was happy to teach, counsel and be a helper in those areas to those in need. He was also thecultural director for several years for the Indian Community School in Milwaukee. He was a wonderful dad, grampa and pops.
He leaves behind his adopted father, Bill Daniels; Leah Miller, whom he called his better half; his sons, Jesse “Chopper” (Judy), of Milwaukee, Jay “Krunch” (Victoria), of Florida, Richard Blake, of Keshena; and his daughter, Richelle (Audie), of Keshena; Steven (Stephanie), Joey (Margaret), and John (Carolyn), all of Keshena, and Brian (Sarah) Moore of Michigan; daughter-in-law, Christine, of Baraga, Michigan; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sisters, Verna (Henry) Shegonee, of Zoar, and Gwen, of Keshena; and brothers, Anthony (Jeanne), of Cumberland, and Myron (Doris) Pyawasit. He also leaves behind adopted sons Jim Marino, Mike Terry, Al Kuhn, all of Milwaukee, and Mark LaTendre, of Pembine. He was uncle and grandpa to many others.
His son, Erick; brother, James Awonohopay; and sister, Annette Farrow; and a nephew, Aaron Shegonee, preceded him in death.
Friends may call at Zoar Ceremonial Center now until the time of the services. Services start at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, with burial in Zoar Indian Burial Ground at 2 p.m. with John Teller officiating.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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