Dick Lewis Goldamer passed away Wednesday, March
21, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, with family by his side, due to multiple
medical complications.
Dick was born to Lewis and Daila (Hoffman)
Goldamer on December 30, 1944, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. His family moved from
Abbottsford to Wisconsin Rapids in 1956. Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army,
serving in Europe with an Engineering Battalion operating heavy equipment from
1964-1966. Dick became employed by Badger Ordnance Plant in Baraboo before
joining Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company (Georgia Pacific, Domtar). He retired
from Domtar in 2008 as a Paper Machine Operator after 37 years of service to
the company.
Dick was a loyal member and supporter of
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School where he served as an usher. He was a
member of the Clock and Bell Tower Committee, raising funds by building
birdbaths from balusters he salvaged from the demolition of the old Grand
Avenue Bridge. Dick was blessed with an extremely analytical and inventive
mind, improving every vehicle and piece of equipment he owned, preserving his
possessions with impeccable maintenance. He restored old slot machines,
disassembling, repairing and reassembling the complicated mechanisms with no
parts left over. Over the years, Dick cherished and unselfishly shared use of
his vehicles, particularly his Corvettes, and most recently his GMC pickups.
Dick had a fascination and incredible knowledge of ancient Egyptian culture and
archeology. In 2016, his lifelong dream was fulfilled when he toured the
ancient ruins, tombs and most importantly, the pyramids of Egypt.
Other interests included competitively playing Texas
Hold'em, daily Sudoku puzzles, Brewers and Packers games, local paper mill
history, happy hour by the river with the guys and frequent trips to
Plainfield. He cherished his family and many friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his grandparents;
parents; brother-in-law, Fred Johnson; aunts; uncles; and nephew, Joe
Schillinger.
He is survived by three sisters, Gloria (Don) Brody of
Minocqua, Donna (Lyle) Brown of Anchorage, Alaska, Jean Schillinger of
Wisconsin Rapids; and brother-in-law, Don Schillinger of Wisconsin Rapids. He
is further survived by his nieces and nephews, along with great, and great-great
nieces and nephews.
Dick was a “one of a kind” sort of guy with
a big heart. He will be greatly missed and remain forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home
in Wisconsin Rapids from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8. Services
will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 140
8
th
Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, with visitation also at the
church from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Monday. Burial will be in
Restlawn Memorial Cemetery, Hwy. 54 E at 64th St. N, Wisconsin Rapids.
Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting
the family. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.
