Richard “Rich” L. Fear, 78, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home, Union Grove, from complications of a stroke. Born in Iowa, City, IA, May 3, 1939, Rich was the son of the late Dea and Wanda (Nee: Seley) Fear.
At the age of 17, Rich joined the military and proudly served his country for 21-1/2 years, first serving in the United States Navy and then the Army. Rich said, “Jobs were scarce. I decided I was going to serve my country.” After his discharge, he realized he liked military life and enlisted in the Army, where his career took him to Panama, Vietnam for three tours of duty, Germany, Korea and several bases throughout the United States.
He married Sandra K. Duryee on July 26, 1974 in Rochester, MN. Shortly after they were married, he was assigned a tour of duty in South Korea. Sandy joined him there and it turned out to be quite an interesting experience for them both. After retiring from the military in 1978, Rich worked for a short time as a prison guard in Jefferson City, Missouri, then for a short time as a security officer for thee Brinks company. In 1983 they moved to Racine, WI, with their two children. Rich worked at the post office as a letter carrier. He enjoyed getting to know his customers on his various routes and made many friends during his 17-1/2 year career.
He retired from the post office in 2001. In his spare time, he loved to go on fishing trips with his buddies, was a Green Bay Packer fan, and enjoyed reading and doing word search puzzles. He tolerated taking his wife to rummage sales, but “secretly” he had fun looking for a bargain. Richard will be best remembered for his deep commitment to serve fellow veterans through the many military organizations he belonged to which included: Past Disabled American Veterans past 12th National Executive Committeeman for WI and IL, Past Dept. Commander of Purple Heart, Past Commander and Chaplain of VFW Post 1391, Past Dept. Commander and last Dept. Chaplain of the Military Order of the Cooties, Past Dept. Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Past Chapter Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. He also volunteered for close to 20 years at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee serving his fellow veterans. On April 15, 2016 Rich was honored as the recipient of The Veteran of the Year Award at the Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of nearly 43 years, Sandra; his children, John (Paula) Fear of Racine, Angela Fear-Murray of Kenosha; his grandchildren, Dylan Ison, Braxton and Mason Murray; his “adopted great-grandchildren”, Carmine, Emily, and Angelo; extended family-Caitlin, Miguel, Michael and Alana; sister, Lyndola Jennings; sister-in-law, Donna Fear of MO; nieces, nephews, several other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Ray Dudley, Donald and Doug Fear; sisters, Inace Miller and Tycene Sargent.
Funeral services with full military honors at 5 p.m. Friday will be held at Maresh-Meredity Funeral Home, 803 Main St. Private interment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family have been suggested.
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