Richard A. “Rich” Fechter

Richard A. “Rich” Fechter, age 77,  passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. Rich passed on the same day as his father August, just 30 years later.

He was born Aug. 21, 1945, to August and Helen (nee Hentges) Fechter.

Rich married Martha M. Wollner on May 27, 1967.

Rich worked at Menasha Corp. in Hartford, Wis., in the maintenance department from 1979 until retiring in 2011.  He retired as a maintenance manager.

Rich was a longtime caretaker of St. Augustine in the Town of Trenton.  He made his daily visits to check on St Augustine.

Rich enjoyed hunting, working on his hobby farm, working on tractors in his shop and watching RFDTV. He was Mr-Fix-It.

He liked spending time “up north” for many years. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, many of whom came to visit or called him during his illness.

Rich is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha; children Angela (Dean) Schelinske, Tracy (Steven) Gergetz, Jennifer Fechter and Gregory (Kelly) Fechter; grandchildren Alyssa Schelinske, Kaylie (Matt) Fiene, Nicholas, Adam (Micaela), Rachel, Ryan and Anna Gergetz and Mason Fechter; great-grandchild Liberty Gergertz; sisters Clara Neu and Dorothy Griesmer; and sisters-in-law Mary Jane Fechter, Irene Fechter and Chris Wollner. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents August and Helen Fechter, siblings Raymond (Arlene) Fechter, Barbara Fechter, Leo Fechter, Martha (George) Meyer, Ralph Fechter, Leroy Neu, James Griesmer and August (Sylvia) Fechter and father and mother-in-law Joseph and Bernice Wollner and brother-in-law James Wollner.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 4 until 5:45 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend.

The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in Rich’s name to the St. Augustine Building Fund for future repairs.

Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses throughout his lifetime, the Froedtert Cancer Center in West Bend, Horizon Hospice and his children who enabled his wish of staying home during his final journey.

The pain is finally past, but the best memories remain!

Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family.

www.phillipfuneralhome.com

(262) 338-2050