Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
Richard Brisch
Richard "Dick" M. Brisch of Egg Harbor, 66, passed away Thursday morning, June 4, 2015, at home with his wife by his side.
His perseverance and passion for life helped him courageously battle carcinoid cancer for the past 18 years. Dick never gave up and was strong until the very end.
Richard was born May 8, 1949 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Jacqueline Brisch. Growing up in Manitowoc, he was the second oldest of seven kids.
Dick graduated from St. Joseph's in Rensselaer, IN with a degree in Political Science, where he also played on the men's basketball team. After college, Dick served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia.
On July 14, 1973 he married Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Reichert in Maria Stein, OH. Dick and Betty moved to Appleton where they raised their three children. For the past 13 years, they have called Egg Harbor home.
At the time of his death, Dick was employed as the General Manager for Viking Explosives, where he always took pride in his work and cared for his fellow employees.
Those who knew Richard knew his many wonderful attributes. Among them, he was a great storyteller, he never missed an opportunity to turn a stranger into a friend, and he never left his wingman.
Credited with coining the phrase "Hittin' the Apple," Dick had a passion for golf and was well loved in the Door County golf community. In the wintertime, he tried his best to keep his mind off of golf by ice fishing.
Most of all he deeply cared for and loved his family. He was a devoted husband, and a great dad. His proudest achievement was raising their three children.
Dick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betty; two sons Bryan (Julie), Glenview, IL, and Kyle, Minneapolis, MN, one daughter Laura (Charlie) Heideman, Antioch, IL; four granddaughters Olivia, Grace, Bryn, and Bella; father Joseph G. Brisch; siblings Joseph (Sue), Jacque (Jeff) McCullough, Donald (Mary Kay), Debbie (Steve) Brisch-Cramer, Stephanie (Glen) Graff, and David (Peggy); many nieces, nephews and cousins; in-laws Mary Lou and Jack Wenning, Coldwater, Joe and Diane Reichert, Fort Loramie, Margie and John Buschur, Maria Stein, Ginny and Mike Bensman, Minster, John and Bernice Reichert, Maria Stein, and Jim Wiley, Celina; and his best four-legged friend Eddie.
He is preceded in death by his mother Jacqueline Brisch; mother- and father-in-law Othmar and Lorena Reichert; and sister-in-law Dorothy Wiley.
The family would like to thank Unity Hospice, Green Bay Oncology and staff, and Northwestern Oncology and staff.
Mass and a celebration of Richard's life will be held by family friend, Fr. Mauthe 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12 at Stella Maris Catholic Church 4109 Hwy. 42, Fish Creek.
Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11 at the church. Visitation will continue at the church Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Evans Scholars (www.wgaesf.com) and the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation (www.carcinoid.org).
Online condolences may be offered at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
