Richard Davis

Richard T. Davis, age 82, of Baraboo passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at home. Richard, son of Robert and Elva (Tatton) Davis was born Feb. 13, 1941 in Orangeville, Utah. In high school he was a student body president, played trumpet in band and participated on the baseball, track and field team and on the basketball team. On Aug, 29, 1964 he was united in marriage to Ruth Ella Robinson. They were blessed with two children, son, Michael and daughter, Christine. He later was blessed with nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one on the way. Richard started his employment with Peterbilt in Salt Lake City, later he worked for a dealership in Portland, Oregon. He rose through the ranks and ended up in management positions. His longest position was VP of Kenworth Northwest in Des Moines, Washington. The relationships he formed in his work would last him a lifetime. He was a smart, fair, but tough boss and he had high expectations. His work took him to Houston where he ran the dealership, then in 1993, he moved his family to Wisconsin, where he worked for Seats, Inc., Truck Country and Freightliner.

Richard loved watching the Packers and the Brewers. He enjoyed golfing, especially when he lived on the golf course and could go out and golf a 'quick three holes'before work. Richard adored his family; he loved watching his kids play sports. He was a master barbequer and was often seen on the back deck with the spatula and spray bottle. Working in his yard was one of his greatest pleasures. Every weekend when he was working and then every day when he retired, he could be found outside with a beer and his wheelbarrow fine tuning his yard. He always had a project going in the house or yard that he thought needed to get finished. Richard loved taking trips to see his extended family in Utah. He kept in touch often by phone with his brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Richard traveled to many exciting places with his work. He traveled to Alaska, New York, Cayman Islands, Acapulco, Peru, Houston, Florida and Hawaii to name a few.

In Baraboo, his daughter Christie has a flower shop. He could often be found helping process flowers, running the register, making deliveries or "just checking in to see whats going on". He was always ready with a joke, always pulling someone's leg. He made friends wherever he went; he had a way of making someone he had just met feel like his best friend. Another of his greatest loves was the cabin he and Ruth built near Cle Elum, Washington. This was probably the place he felt most at peace. Weekends were spent at the cabin with friends, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, enjoying the view of the lake, breathing in the fresh air. Richard loved to laugh. He was a master at Pinochle, loved his old country music, loved having grandkids, loved hot toddies, and Ruths cooking.

At the end, he wanted his family and friends to know that he tried his best to beat Leukemia, but if he didnt, he felt he had had a great life. Richard and his family loved his doctors, Dr. Randy Krszjzaniek and Dr. Alissa Weber and thank them for their wonderful care. We were so happy to be able to bring Dad home to his bed by the window where he could watch the golfers on the beautiful golf course on his last days.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth; son, Michael Davis; daughter, Christie (Ken) Ziegler; grandchildren, Madeline (Walter), Melinda (Ross), Pauline (Kyle), Matthew, Julia (Brad), Spencer, Joseph, Madelyn; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Macklin, Joey and unborn Baby Grimm; also survived by his brother, Kirby (Lindsey) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; nine brothers and sisters; granddaughter, Emily; niece, Shawna and nephew, Randy.

His life lessons: Always be early, on time is late. If I told you a rooster could pull a freight train, don't ask questions, just hook up the harness. Don't burn bridges.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 with Pastor Cathy Christman officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or the Lymphoma &Leukemia Society. Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.