"My condolences! As principal, Dick hired me to be a teacher at Jefferson Middle School in the Madison Metropolitan School District. This was my first position after graduating from Whitewater State University in August 1971. He allowed me to embark on a 43 year career (33 years in public the school schools as a teacher, principal and another 10 years at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison). Thanks Dick! Rest in Peace. "
In loving memory of
Richard W. Meister
April 11, 1926 - April 13, 2019
Richard W. Meister passed away at Agrace HospiceCare on April 13, 2019. He was born April 11, 1926 in Black Earth, WI, son of Albert and Grace Lockwood Meister. He attended McPherson elementary one room school grades 1-8, and graduated from Verona High School, 1944. Following high school graduation, he worked on the family farm until enlisting in the US Army October 15, 1946 with assignments to Camp Lee, VA, Seattle,WA, and Sapporo, Japan. During overseas assignment, he served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. As a special military honor, he represented his regimen in the July 4, 1947 parade in Tokyo, with General Douglas McArthur as the reviewing officer. He also played on the regimental basketball team.
Following military discharge, he earned BS and MS degrees - education, UW Madison, married Ellen Hefty, and received his PhD - Educational Administration, UW- Madison, 1972. Dick taught school at Kewaskum, DeForest, and Madison Sherman and East Junior high schools. He served as an administrator at Madison Memorial High School, Jefferson Middle School and West High School. Following retirement from Madison, he served as an interim Administrator / Principal at Kickapoo, Waupun, Richland Center and La Follette High School.
Losing his father at six months of age, growing up on a farm, experiencing strong discipline during paratrooper training, and earning 3 university degrees while working full-time certainly impacted his exemplary work ethic which he shared with hundreds of high school students during his career.
Dick's special interest in sports included being a successful basketball coach for 13 years, and officiating basketball/football/baseball for more than 35 years. He was an avid UW Basketball fan and a golfing member at Blackhawk Country Club. Another special interest was his affiliation with the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, being a charter member with perfect attendance for more than 35 years. He was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow for his involvement with several Rotary Club special projects: development of Pope Park on Old Sauk Rd, establishing fund raisers for the orphanages supported by Rotary, and going to El Salvador and Guatemala several times to work at the orphanages. Dick enjoyed traveling to Idaho, Arizona, Europe and Asia. He cherished his membership in the Catholic Church (Our Lady Queen of Peace), never having missed attending mass his entire life, except when aboard military ship going to Japan.
He is survived by his wife Ellen; brother-in-law Wayne Hefty; niece Rebecca Freitag; nephews Ron, Garry, Don, Tim and Rich Meister; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Albert, mother Grace, brothers Eugene and Donald, and nephew Joseph.
Memorial services will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace church, 401 S. Owen, Madison on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, with a visitation starting at 10:00am, mass at 11:00am with lunch and reception at Blackhawk Country Club to follow. Cemetery Services will take place at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in the township of Springdale.
Memorials are suggested to the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton Foundation, PO BOX 620312, Middleton, WI 53562-0312 or the Meister Memorial Fund @Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Drive, Madison, WI, 53705.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI
53705
Tributes
"My dad used to umpire home talent baseball with your dad. My dad just passed away on March 26th and my mom saw your dad's obituary in the paper. She asked that I send our condolences to you. So from the family of Ed Marking, Sr. we know how difficult this is and you are in our prayers and thoughts right now. Nancy (Marking) Thornsen"
"On behalf of the Deforest High School Class of 1958, we send our condolences to Ellen Meister. We are sorry for the loss of your husband. We appreciated that you and Richard participated in our class reunions over the last 60 years. Reminiscing with both of you gave us the opportunity to know you, not only as caring teachers but also as friends. Even last year as Richard's health was declining, he shared a few incidents from his life story in personal conversations with us. We value the influence you both had on our young lives. Co-chairpersons of recent class reunions -- Nelda Midthun Noltemeyer & Alice Bredeson Zweifel"
"Such fond memories Dick leaves behind. As part of Rotary, we traveled to Guatemala together and it was there that his devotion to children really shined. He was generous with his time and resources with the kids and he quickly formed a bond as they visibly touched his heart. What a privilege to know such a fine man who also touched my heart. Rest in Peace my friend."
"He was one of my favorite teachers at Sherman school. He was also my husband Tom's football coach. Wow what an incredible, amazing life he lead. RIP Mr. Meister"
"The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero Richard Meister. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on May 4, 2013"