Richard “Dick” Allen Held

Richard “Dick” Allen Held, 79, of Waukesha, passed peacefully on October 25, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones following a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Louise, and son, Robert (Logan). He is also survived by his brother, Elmer Held (Etta), sister Bonita Erdmann, sisters-in-law Jean Dimmick and Gwyn Roske, and brother-in-law Fred (Paula) Jones, and many nieces and nephews. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Mary Held, sister Jeanette Richardson, and brothers-in-law Earle Dimmick, Charles Roske, and Gene Erdmann.

Richard was born on April 3, 1945. He attended St. Boniface Grade School and Washington Union High School in Germantown, graduating in 1963. Richard attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics in January 1968 and an M.S. in Mathematics Education in June 1970. Richard worked as a teacher in math and computer science around the Milwaukee area.

On December 20, 1969, Richard married Louise Bebb Jones in Baraboo. They had one son, Robert (Bobby), on January 12, 1988. For the first decades of their marriage — from 1973 to 1998 — Richard and Louise resided on a small hobby farm in Pewaukee. As a hobby farmer Richard raised sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, and many bountiful gardens. Richard and Louise traveled a lot during this time, criss-crossing the continent, visiting places that interested them most. Richard was also an avid woodworker; many of those who were closest to him enjoy the pieces he made every day.

In 1998, Richard and Louise moved their small family from Pewaukee to Arbor Vitae. “Up North,” Richard got into politics, serving on the Arbor Vitae Town Board from 2004-2016. Richard was also active in the Cross Country Cruisers snowmobile club, where he served as vice president. In Arbor Vitae, Richard continued to garden, went ATVing and snowmobiling, and was active at Holy Family Catholic Church as an usher and member of the Knights of Columbus.

In 2017, Richard and Louise moved to Watertown to be closer to Bobby and other family members. They downsized again in 2022 to their condo in Waukesha. In his later years, Richard had simpler hobbies. He enjoyed puzzles, cross words, and growing a few plants. He collected model tractors and pocket knives, and he shot air rifles and crossbows. For over a decade Richard sent Bobby an email every morning with his thoughts on the day.

Although we will miss Richard dearly, we are comforted by the fact that he spent his life doing the things he loved — especially spending time with those closest to him. Everyone who knew Richard has a special memory of him, and we are grateful for those memories at this time.

A funeral service for Richard will take place at the Becker-Ritter Funeral Home (14075 W North Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53005) on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. Family and friends may call at the funeral home any time after noon (12 p.m.) until the time of the service. The service will be officiated by Rev. Luke Roske-Metcalfe, Richard’s nephew. A burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Arbor Vitae, on Saturday November 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association or another charity that reminds you of Richard. 

Becker Ritter Funeral Home in Brookfield is serving the family. Please see Becker Ritter.com for further details.