Obituaries & Guestbook

Richard L. “Dick” Scott, 82, passed peacefully Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Bellin Hospital with his loving family present after a long hard battle with congestive heart failure. To the very end, Dick was a wonder to his family, and in the end he held on longer than even the medical professionals thought possible. His family was not surprised as he was always one to just keep going, and in life never took a minute to sit still. Dick was born on April 15, 1941, to Richard A. and Ruth (Brooks) Scott in the Town of Stiles. As a young boy he enjoyed riding his horse Lady to the Stiles School House. He would tie Lady to a tree where she would wait for him all day until it was time to ride her home at the end of the school day. Dick attended Oconto Falls High School graduating with the Class of 1959 where he played trombone in the band. After High School, Dick briefly attended UW – Madison for one year, but left to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. In the Marines he worked as an aircraft mechanic and was active during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Dick was always one to sport a ball cap, and one of his favorites was his Veteran cap with the Marines emblem.

On July 21, 1961, Dick married fellow OFHS schoolmate Sylvia (Sally) Wusterbarth of Oconto Falls at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Thank goodness Sally was brave enough to leave a note for Dick on the windshield of his car while he was home on leave from the Marines to call her. Together, Dick and Sally raised seven children of which Dick was extremely proud. While Dick never sought the spotlight in life himself, he never hesitated to share the accomplishments of his kids. Nothing made Dick smile more than when people would stop him in town to ask about one of his children and compliment him on their successes. Apart from his four years in the Marine Corp, Dick served his community in many ways. Most notably as Chairman of the Town of Stiles and Board Member for 45 years. Dick never complained about the calls he received regarding roads to be plowed, stray dogs to be collected, or for the operating hours at the town dump/compactor. He enjoyed his time as Chairman. In 2014 he was honored at the Oconto County Rural Urban Recognition Banquet for his years of service to his community. In typical fashion he didn’t tell his family he was receiving this award until long after the ceremony and banquet. In addition to all his work on the town board, he also spent ten years on the Oconto County Board as a Supervisor. Dick was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church attending weekly Mass. He also served as Parish Trustee, Usher, and Member of the Maintenance Committee. For many many years he and his very good chum, Don Wellens, served as Sextons for St. Anthony and St. Patrick Parishes digging many graves together and reverently placing many friends and neighbors in their final resting place. Dick was also very proud of his membership in the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, something he shared in common with his own step-father. Dick was employed for 34 years as a converting maintenance supervisor at Fort Howard in Green Bay. He enjoyed working the midnight shift zipping around the mill fixing paper machines. Dick was known for having each of his children spend at least one summer during college working in the mill. He reminded them that he had them do this so they kept the motivation to keep at it with their school work and earning a college degree. After retiring from the mill, Dick spent many years operating his own small construction and masonry business. It would be hard to estimate over the years how many tons of concrete he poured for the residents of Oconto County and surrounding areas, and how many part-time jobs he provided to local students. He loved teaching others about masonry and building including his three sons and son-in-laws. There are many funny stories from over the years from those that worked alongside Dick including how he liked to talk to himself while he worked and the infamous story of when he and his son Russ both dropped cement blocks on their feet while building a house. Russ’s foot was lucky. Dick’s not so much. Dick never really retired, but later in life as his masonry business slowed he became the go-to babysitter for his 13 grandchildren. In fact he earned the nickname, “Super Nanny.” He was known for giving horsey rides, big pushes on swings, and enjoying naptime much more than the grandkids.

Dick is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife of 62 years, Sally. He is further survived by his seven children: Sandra Scott, Richard Scott, Sharon (Jeff) Kratz, Randy (Diane) Scott, Russ Scott (special friend Tara LaChapell), Sue Fuller (best friend and partner Alan Lunder), and Stacy (Andrew) Kemps. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Alex and Nate Kratz (special friend Abby Heiderscheit), Kyle Duex (fiancee Savannah Cherry), Kelsey Duex (fiancee Cade Klusendorf), Brandon and Ryan Scott, Hannah and Hayden Scott, Michael and Andrew Fuller, and Reagan, Natalie and David Kemps. Dick had one great – grandchild, London Kratz. Dick is also survived by his sister Delores Labrosse (William), step-brother Chuck Wellens, and step-sister Margie Reim (Jim), brothers in-law John Wusterbarth, Robert Wusterbarth (Lanelle), Richard Wusterbarth, and sister in – law Mary (Tom) Marquardt along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, goddaughters, and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Richard Scott, step-father Bill Wellens, brother Leonard “Lonnie” Scott, sisters-in-law Jeanette Wusterbarth and Melissa Wellens, and mother and father in-law Lottie (Pawlak) and Allen Wusterbarth along with several special relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers in memory of Dick, the family asks that you buy flowers for someone else, something Dick loved to do for his wife, or mix a good old-fashioned or grasshopper and invite over a friend!

Dick’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls. Visitation is from 9 – 11AM with Mass to follow by Father Walter Stumpf.