Sept. 19, 2017 – West Bend, WI – Allen J. “Whitey” Rick, 89, of West Bend, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Association Hospital in Milwaukee.
Whitey was born on July 19, 1928, in Barton, the son of the late Allen and Bernadina (Tina) (Stellpflug) Rick. On June 15, 1950, he was united in marriage to Harriet Schroeder in Crown Point, Indiana.
Whitey grew up in Barton. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1960, he took over the family business and operated Rick’s Tap in Barton for the next several years. Whitey was also a volunteer fireman for the Barton Fire Department. He was employed at Mercury Marine in Fond du lac and retired in 1991.
Whitey enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his pets, sweets of all kinds, long rides in the car, and mostly his dear wife Harriet. His presence was bigger than life; the world will be a lot less interesting with his loss.
Those Whitey leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Harriet; four children, Allen (Mary) Rick of West Bend, Thomas (Ellen) Rick of Darboy, Robert (Patty) Rick of Kewaskum, and Laurie (Timothy) Beth of Farmington; nine grandchildren, Katie Knueppel, Meghan Ellis, Zachary Rick, Matthew Rick, Stephanie Campos, Anna Rick, Sadie Rick, Ryan Wojtalewicz, Dinara Beth; six great-grandchildren, Connor and Kendra Knueppel, and Makenna, Josie, Evie, and Cara Ellis; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Rick of Rockford, Illinois; a beloved cousin of Harriet’s, Sonia DiSalvo of Milwaukee; other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Whitey was preceded in death by a son, Michael; seven siblings, Lila Volk, Viola Belger, Henrietta Gundrum, Gertrude Smith, Charles Rick, James Rick, and Michael Rick.
A funeral service for Whitey will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2017, at Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, in West Bend. Rev. David Schoob will officiate and entombment will follow in Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend.
Whitey’s family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home on Friday from Noon until the time of service.
Whitey’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Association Hospital in Milwaukee for the tremendous care they provided.
A VERY unique, funny, honest, loving, uncensored yet humble individual. He was like a Dad when I no longer had mine. He always had a kind inquiry and an interesting comment (or two) about anyone and everyone. I loved watching football with him with his Packers causing equal amounts of misery and elation through the years. I always left his company wanting more. He’s now with my beloved Mike and somehow, I’m sure they’re playing cards and talking sports. I love you, Whitey!