Richard Hergenroether

Richard G Hergenroether, age 77, passed away on August 15, 2020 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg, WI after a long and courageous battle with heart disease.

Rick was born on July 21, 1943 in Atascadero, CA while his father was preparing to go overseas to fight in WWII.  He was the oldest of seven children of George J Hergenroether and Catherine M (Potts) Hergenroether.  The family moved from Grosse Pte. Farms, MI to Glenview, IL where Rick graduated from high school.  After graduation Rick moved to Sacramento, CA where he began working with computers.  His work as a computer operator continued while he served in active duty as a sergeant in the US Marine Corps from 1964-1967 and Da Nang, Vietnam.

Rick’s life-long interest in photography and film took him to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. He loved the city and spent much of his leisure time attending film festivals. He bumped elbows with some famous names and even had the opportunity to be an extra in a Chevy Chase movie. Rick was employed by the courier service DHL before moving to Wisconsin in 1989 to be with his aging parents. While in Wisconsin, he utilized his knowledge of photography working in sales for portrait companies. Until his illness he worked as a courier for Premier Dental Prosthetics, Inc. in Stoughton, WI.

Rick’s loyalty to the armed services fostered an interest in WWII army war planes. He enjoyed attending the annual EAA Air Show in Oshkosh with his brothers. He relished the plane rides he took on three different historic heavy bombers. Rick was scheduled to fly to Washington, D.C. with the Badger Honor Flight when Covid-19 halted all trips.  However, BHF recently honored Rick at Agrace with a personal recognition ceremony for his service, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

The most important thing to Rick was Family. He never passed up a gathering, be it a celebration with his siblings and their families or a reunion with countless cousins in Detroit, MI. As patriarch, he always made an effort to attend reunions to represent “the Wisconsin Hergs”.  Rick loved to research his many interests and could talk for hours about alternative health and nutrition, movie trivia, or the newest developments in technology.  Rick will be remembered for his deep love of his heritage and his country, his thoughtful gift giving, his wealth of knowledge and quick wit, and his love for music and animals.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, a niece Christina Perrigoue, special friend Barbara Decker, and his dog Brooks.  He is survived by siblings: John (Sharon) Hergenroether of Whitefish Bay, WI; Cathy Lundgren (Larry Henderson), Kim (Wayne) Marsh, Jim (Susan) Hergenroether, Marie (Tom) Johnson, all of Stoughton, WI and Michael (Peggy) Hergenroether of Santa Barbara, CA.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a very special niece and friend Sylvia (Steve) Lawrence, of Stoughton, WI.

The family would like to thank the staff at Madison’s Veteran’s Hospital and Evansville Manor for Rick’s early care. We’re especially thankful to the staff at Agrace for their heartfelt compassion during Rick’s extended stay and final days.

A private service and burial will be held on August 29, 2020.  Due to current Covid-19 restrictions a  Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Rick’s name to Badger Honor Flight or the Disabled Americans Veterans. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

206 W. Prospect  Stoughton

(608) 873-9244