Richard

Rossmiller

Richard A. Rossmiller died peacefully on November 7, 2026, at Oakwood Village West, where he had been a resident since 2014. Richard was born May 25, 1928, in Burlington WI, the eldest child of Harold C. Rossmiller and Lydia Keller Rossmiller. He is survived by a sister, Ann Miglio of Stoughton, WI and a brother, John (Helen) of Dayton OH; sons Daniel (Sally), and Stuart (Polly) of Madison, and David (Wendy) of Mendota Heights, MN; and five grandchildren—Ciel, Leo, Sophie, Julia and Lydia. He married Lois Catherine Koch on July 5, 1952, in Kewaskum Wisconsin. Lois preceded him in death in 2021.

Richard grew up on the family dairy and truck farm near Honey Creek, WI, and graduated from the Racine County Agricultural School in 1946. He received an Honor Scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a BS degree in 1950. After teaching vocational agriculture for two years, he was inducted into the Army in 1952. After training at the Signal School and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, his unit was stationed at Thule Air Force Base in northern Greenland and was responsible for maintaining the radars and computers for the anti-aircraft batteries at the base.

After his release from the army in 1954, he served three years as Superintendent of the Racine County Agricultural School before returning to UW Madison where he received a PhD degree in Educational Administration in 1960. After serving as principal at Evanston, IL Township High School and Superintendent of the Muskego, WI School District, he accepted a professorship at UW-Madison, where he served for 33 years, retiring as Emeritus Professor in 1993. He mentored and advised 45 MS candidates and 53 PhD degree graduates and served on over 100 dissertation committees.

Dick became nationally and internationally known for his research and teaching in the economics and financing of education and especially his seminal research on the cost of educating children with disabilities. He was called as an expert witness in 15 cases involving the constitutionality of state school finance programs or employment discrimination allegations. He authored or co-authored 50 books or monographs and numerous articles in professional journals. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Florida in 1968-69, and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1977, and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Damascus, Syria in 1986.

Dick’s talent as a leader became evident as early as his elementary and secondary school days and he held leadership positions in several state and national organizations during his career. He was elected as President of the Wisconsin Future Farmers Association in 1949, and served in 1949—50. He was Chair of his department in 1972-73 and 1981-89 and Director of the Wisconsin Education Research and Development Center from 1973-80. He was Chairman of the Council for Education Development and Research, 1976; President of the American Education Finance Association, 1980-81; and President of the University Council for Educational Administration, 1984-85. Dick received the Outstanding Service Award from the American Educational Finance Association in 1993 and a Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of School Administrators in 1994. More recently, he served as President of the Oakwood Village Senate after his arrival there.

Dick and Lois enjoyed travel. While their boys were growing up, after summer school a car trip to visit national parks (and relatives along the way) camping either by tent or travel trailer was routine. After Dick's retirement he and Lois traveled extensively, visiting countries in every continent (except Antarctica). One of the highlights was a trip to South Korea hosted by several of his Korean students who had earned PhD degrees. Another memorable trip was six weeks in New Zealand and Australia while on sabbatical. Travel from Cape Town to Cairo in 2001, included Victoria Falls, two safaris in Kenya, and a cruise on the Nile River. A 2006 trip (with son David as driver, guide, and interpreter) provided an opportunity to visit the areas their German ancestors came from and a chance to visit the American cemeteries where two of Richard’s uncles, victims of World War I, are buried.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 28 at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ (1501 Gilbert Road) in Madison, WI at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at 12:00 pm (noon). A visitation will take place from 10:00-11:00 am.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Oakwood Village West and Agrace HospiceCare for the kindness and care they extended to Richard.

Gifts in Prof. Richard A. Rossmiller’s memory may be made payable to the 'UW Foundation' with a note to direct as a tribute to the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department Fund (#132300191). Mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox Box 78807 Milwaukee, WI 53278-8807. Gifts can also be made online at Donate.

Please share your memories of Richard by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral Home

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434