IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard
Heilman
November 14, 1958 – February 6, 2025
Obituary
Richard Dale Heilman, age 66, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin passed away peacefully with family on Thursday evening, February 6th, 2025
Rich was born to Rosanna & Raymond Heilman on November 14, 1958, in Knox ND, and at the age of 5 moved with his family to West Bend, WI where he lived until marrying Judy (Otten) Heilman on June 6, 1992, in Fond du Lac, WI. It is there that their two children Katelyn & Ethan were born, the joys of Rich's life.
As a young man, Rich began his skilled trade of Print, printing the West Bend News, then moving on to print 27 years at Quad Graphics in Pewaukee, Sussex, & finally the Lomira facility, where Rich helped to begin their Print production. Rich worked his way up in the company from his initial position as a Jogger, to roll tender, then second pressman, finally a manager and first pressman running a cover press, run by very few managers in the company. Rich tirelessly worked 12-hour shifts & beyond, days, nights, weekends, holidays & everything in between, there was no limit to his hard work, dedication & devotion to his position, & providing for his family. Rich was the perfect role model for his crew, teaching every crew member that wanted to learn. He mastered his skill & was very respected among his fellow pressmen & co-workers, his crew setting records in print in the offset division.
Following his retirement from printing, Rich chose to work the next 12 years for the FDL School district, most of those at the High School location. There he worked hard maintaining the school's cleanliness, & after hour & weekend extracurricular activities until retiring last year in 2024.
Rich enjoyed many things, but sports were probably his favorite. He loved watching football and baseball and was part of a Big Ten Fantasy Baseball League for many years with his brothers and close friends. His team was the Fond du Lac wave and was one of the rare reasons Rich wanted to talk on the phone, to discuss players, picks and potential up and coming players for the once yearly draft, which every team owner looked forward to all year.
Growing up with six siblings, Rich always looked forward to the holidays with great anticipation, to go home to see his family. Initially to Casseville, then Portage, WI spending the whole weekend with family. There was endless food, conversation & visiting, poker games & so much fun.
Family trips going 4 wheeling up North were always one of Rich's favorite summer enjoyments. The most memorable of those trips occurred when a bear was stanched in the middle of the trail following a sharp turn looking directly at us. Rich had the good sense to quickly change direction.
Cooking on the Weber Grill at home and making wonderful meals was also a hobby Rich really enjoyed, he was amazing at it and affectionately referred to as the grill master. Many summer evenings were spent visiting with the wonderful neighbor friends of Howard Avenue for over 33 years, Occasional card games and the yearly summer block parties were always the best of times.
The yearly camping weekend and Backgammon Tournament with family and friends known as Larch Fest, was also looked forward to, and attended for over 30 years. Many of those camping trips were held at Dutch Hollow Campground in western WI. Rich was affectionately known as the unknown Larcher, making his yearly appearance, providing many fun times and laughter around the campfire.
Rich was a quiet and reserved man of very strong integrity and morals, who loved his immediate and extended family very much. Last July (of 2024), Rich had a very prolonged and complicated hospitalization following a motor vehicle accident. Rich fought hard and found the inner strength and determination to work his way back to health with the never-ending support, love and guidance of his siblings and family. He faced many difficult challenges, and his outcome was uncertain for a number of weeks. After a six-week hospitalization followed by two weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Rich was discharged. He stayed with family for the next several months, continuing to work hard to regain his strength and independence, which he achieved at the end of 2024. Just one week prior to his death, Rich moved into an independent living apartment in West Bend, proving to himself his ability to be independent, and living his best life with many hopes for the future.
Rich was very loved and will be dearly missed by Judy, daughter Katelyn and son Ethan of North Fond du Lac, WI. Brothers: Gary (Sarah) West Bend, WI, Tim Baraboo, WI, Jim (Lisa) Minot, ND Sisters: Kathy Rugby ND, Marla Verona, WI, and Nancy Rugby, ND. Nephews & Nieces: Leah, Jon, Jenna, Josh, Amber, Heidi and Heather, family and many friends
Rich was preceded in death by his parents: Raymond & Rosanna Heilman, Brother-in-law Dave, and two Nieces Ashley & Abby
A celebration of Rich's life will take place at Phillip Funeral Home 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend, WI on Thursday Feb 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with a service at 4:00pm.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at St. Mary's Hospital Madison, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Fitchburg, SSM Health Home Care Madison, and Dr. Gina Everson of SSM Health Fond du Lac for the excellent care provided to Rich.
Rich was born to Rosanna & Raymond Heilman on November 14, 1958, in Knox ND, and at the age of 5 moved with his family to West Bend, WI where he lived until marrying Judy (Otten) Heilman on June 6, 1992, in Fond du Lac, WI. It is there that their two children Katelyn & Ethan were born, the joys of Rich's life.
As a young man, Rich began his skilled trade of Print, printing the West Bend News, then moving on to print 27 years at Quad Graphics in Pewaukee, Sussex, & finally the Lomira facility, where Rich helped to begin their Print production. Rich worked his way up in the company from his initial position as a Jogger, to roll tender, then second pressman, finally a manager and first pressman running a cover press, run by very few managers in the company. Rich tirelessly worked 12-hour shifts & beyond, days, nights, weekends, holidays & everything in between, there was no limit to his hard work, dedication & devotion to his position, & providing for his family. Rich was the perfect role model for his crew, teaching every crew member that wanted to learn. He mastered his skill & was very respected among his fellow pressmen & co-workers, his crew setting records in print in the offset division.
Following his retirement from printing, Rich chose to work the next 12 years for the FDL School district, most of those at the High School location. There he worked hard maintaining the school's cleanliness, & after hour & weekend extracurricular activities until retiring last year in 2024.
Rich enjoyed many things, but sports were probably his favorite. He loved watching football and baseball and was part of a Big Ten Fantasy Baseball League for many years with his brothers and close friends. His team was the Fond du Lac wave and was one of the rare reasons Rich wanted to talk on the phone, to discuss players, picks and potential up and coming players for the once yearly draft, which every team owner looked forward to all year.
Growing up with six siblings, Rich always looked forward to the holidays with great anticipation, to go home to see his family. Initially to Casseville, then Portage, WI spending the whole weekend with family. There was endless food, conversation & visiting, poker games & so much fun.
Family trips going 4 wheeling up North were always one of Rich's favorite summer enjoyments. The most memorable of those trips occurred when a bear was stanched in the middle of the trail following a sharp turn looking directly at us. Rich had the good sense to quickly change direction.
Cooking on the Weber Grill at home and making wonderful meals was also a hobby Rich really enjoyed, he was amazing at it and affectionately referred to as the grill master. Many summer evenings were spent visiting with the wonderful neighbor friends of Howard Avenue for over 33 years, Occasional card games and the yearly summer block parties were always the best of times.
The yearly camping weekend and Backgammon Tournament with family and friends known as Larch Fest, was also looked forward to, and attended for over 30 years. Many of those camping trips were held at Dutch Hollow Campground in western WI. Rich was affectionately known as the unknown Larcher, making his yearly appearance, providing many fun times and laughter around the campfire.
Rich was a quiet and reserved man of very strong integrity and morals, who loved his immediate and extended family very much. Last July (of 2024), Rich had a very prolonged and complicated hospitalization following a motor vehicle accident. Rich fought hard and found the inner strength and determination to work his way back to health with the never-ending support, love and guidance of his siblings and family. He faced many difficult challenges, and his outcome was uncertain for a number of weeks. After a six-week hospitalization followed by two weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Rich was discharged. He stayed with family for the next several months, continuing to work hard to regain his strength and independence, which he achieved at the end of 2024. Just one week prior to his death, Rich moved into an independent living apartment in West Bend, proving to himself his ability to be independent, and living his best life with many hopes for the future.
Rich was very loved and will be dearly missed by Judy, daughter Katelyn and son Ethan of North Fond du Lac, WI. Brothers: Gary (Sarah) West Bend, WI, Tim Baraboo, WI, Jim (Lisa) Minot, ND Sisters: Kathy Rugby ND, Marla Verona, WI, and Nancy Rugby, ND. Nephews & Nieces: Leah, Jon, Jenna, Josh, Amber, Heidi and Heather, family and many friends
Rich was preceded in death by his parents: Raymond & Rosanna Heilman, Brother-in-law Dave, and two Nieces Ashley & Abby
A celebration of Rich's life will take place at Phillip Funeral Home 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend, WI on Thursday Feb 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with a service at 4:00pm.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at St. Mary's Hospital Madison, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Fitchburg, SSM Health Home Care Madison, and Dr. Gina Everson of SSM Health Fond du Lac for the excellent care provided to Rich.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Heilman, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
February
20
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
2:00 - 3:45 pm
Memorial Service
February
20
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
Starts at 4:00 pm
Richard Heilman's Guestbook
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