Richard Trolliet

Richard Trolliet, beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle passed away surrounded by his family on July 7, 2025. From this day forward, we will nourish his spirit and keep it alive with our memories.

A service to celebrate the life of Richard L. Trolliet will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 26, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Sayner, or to Iowa City Boys Baseball.

Richard was born in Stoughton, on October 14, 1945, to Vera Louise (Deye) and Rolland Trolliet. The grandson of a Lutheran pastor, he was baptized in Stoughton, and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Edgerton. His early days were spent living on the shore of Lake Koshkonong in southern Wisconsin. As a young boy, he was a Cub Scout, a fisherman and a Little League pitcher. His family moved to Edgerton when he was in 5th grade. That was when he first met the girl who would eventually become his wife.

In youth and young manhood, he was successful as a student, an athlete and school citizen. He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1963. While there he participated in forensics, cross country, basketball, baseball and was sports editor for the school newspaper. He was selected to attend Badger Boys’ State in Ripon, in 1962.

He attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater majoring in biology. He was a pitcher for the Warhawk Baseball Team that went to the NAIA College World Series in 1965. This is the only Warhawk Baseball Team that has ever gone to the NAIA World Series. That year he signed a contract to play minor league baseball in the Northern League for the Philadelphia Phillies.

He married Donna Pope on June 24, 1967, at Central Lutheran Church in Edgerton. Beginning in the fall of 1967, he taught biology and coached baseball at East Aurora High School in Aurora, Ill. After receiving his masters of science in educational administration at Northern Illinois University, he began his 30-year career with Westinghouse Learning Corporation which became National Computer Systems and eventually Pearson in Iowa City, Iowa, where he was an account executive and director of marketing.

He appreciated the connections he made throughout his career, especially with his staff. He deeply valued and respected his colleagues and clients during his career. In varied relationships in the business world, he was known as a man of determination and reliability. His foresight was keen, and his judgement and fiscal responsibilities were sound. His business career was characterized by honor, intelligence, pragmatism and realism. His success in life was due to the exceptional way he treated people and his unreserved kindness.

Honesty, integrity and a hard work ethic (learned from his parents) were the basic principles and the foundation of his character. Richard valued and modeled vision. He was always thinking of ways to advance that vision. He was unwavering, steadfast and consistent in the way he tried to “do what was right” to guide his children and grandchildren.

Coach Rich was a friend and mentor to many young baseball players as he coached Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Continental Amateur Baseball Association and Iowa City West High feeder teams. When he coached, he tried hard to enable his players to experience great moments of collective pride. He led those young men with integrity and purpose.

In his retirement, he especially embraced the joys of living at his lake home in St. Germain. He reveled in the welcoming atmosphere of the Northwoods and frequently spoke of the connections he made with people there.

As a man who cherished family, he was a dutiful son, a loving husband, and an ever-present and proud father and grandfather. He served as a guiding compass for his children and grandchildren, and he was very proud of the people they have become.

He is survived by his wife Donna (Pope), his daughter Christen Trolliet, grandchildren Teagan (Jasmine), Emerie (Alex), his son Todd Trolliet (Sarah), granddaughter Raquel (Brandon), son Jared Trolliet (Stacia), granddaughters Ayla and Elsa, brother-in-law, Al Pope, niece, Staci Hansen, nephews Justin (Sarah) Pope, Adam (Anna) Pope, sister-in-law, Darlene (Don) Trolliet, nieces Traci (Ed) White, Tiffani (Mike) Haught, nephew, Brad (Jennifer) Trolliet, cousin, JoAnn Lawson Thompson, and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rolland and Vera, his brother, Don, and two great-nieces, Morgan Haught and Vivian Pope.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com.