Richard K. Gates

Richard K. Gates, 83, of Oshkosh died Sunday February 3, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center. He was born May 1, 1929 in Poy Sippi, WI, to Clarence and Zena Gates. He resided in Poy Sippi until 1946 and went to Berlin High School. He then moved to Oshkosh where he graduated from Oshkosh High School.Richard met Elaine Dreyer at Trinity Lutheran Church Walther League and they were married on May 20, 1950. He was employed at Carver Ice Cream Co., Dunphy Boat Co., and then went to Badger Electric Co. where he worked for 30 years and retired in 1991.Richard was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was formerly very active for many years on the finance committee and the Mens Club. He enjoyed bowling, working on wood crafts, playing cards, and especially picking out hickory nuts. He also put in many hours doing electrical and lawn work for others. He was known to many people as Hickory Dick.Richard is survived by his wife, Elaine; four daughters, Chris (Ron) Feutz of Oshkosh, Connie Streblow of Berlin, Nancy (Paul) Williams of Menasha, and Karen (Tony) Whitmarsh of San Marcos, CA; five grandchildren, Andrew (Nicole) Feutz of Oshkosh, Jamie (Dustin) Weber of Madison, Nicholas (Barbi) Feutz of Oshkosh, Adam Whitmarsh and Luke Whitmarsh both of San Marcos; seven great-grandchildren, Samantha, Walker, and Logan Feutz of Oshkosh, Maddox, Halle, and Levi Feutz of Oshkosh, and Kaleb Weber of Madison; and a sister, Janice (Robert) Knaak of Oshkosh. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Glenda; a brother, Phil; a grandson, Peter; and a great-grandson, Brayden.A memorial service for Dick will be held Friday February 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (370 Bowen St.), Rev. Kelly Leary officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the service. Inurnment will be in Lake View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established.Dicks family would like to thank the staff at Mercy Medical Center for the wonderful care they received.