Richard Rhys Rundle
November 29, 1934 - October 22, 2015
Obituary
MONONA-Richard "Dick" Rundle, age 80, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. He was born on Nov. 29, 1934, in Dodgeville, the son of Stansmore and Mabel (Reese) Rundle. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Conley, on Aug. 4, 1955, in Dodgeville. Dick was a graduate of Dodgeville High School receiving a letter in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was captain and MVP in all sports and was selected to the Shrine football game in 1952. Dick received a degree from Luther College, in Decorah Iowa, and received graduate credits from UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater and Azusa-Pacific, Calif. Coach Rundle signed a professional baseball contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, and coached semi-pro football and baseball teams. He coached football at Monona Grove High School from 1956-1989; he was head coach from 1962-89, and had an overall record of 165-50-3; 15 conference champions and two state championships; four undefeated seasons; state golf championship in 1987; one of only a couple of coaches in Wisconsin athletic history to win state championships in more than one sport. Coach Rundle had one of the highest winning percentages in the United States, losing only 30 football games in 25 years. During that period of 25 years his teams never finished below 1st or 2nd place. Coach Rundle's honors include: Madison Area Sportsman, 1978; 1984 United Press Coach of the Year; Regional Coach of the Year seven times; Madison Newspaper Coach of the Year two times; Wisconsin High School Coach of the Year, 1985; Head Coach Shrine Team, 1985; Madison Area Sportsman 1985; WFCA Victors and Service Awards. Coach Rundle was inducted into the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003, the Luther College Hall of Fame in 1977, and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991. Coach Rundle also serves on the National High School Coaches Association Board of Directors. Coach Rundle was Monona Educator of the Year, 1975; received the Monona Grove Board of Education Commendation, 1977; City of Monona Award for Civic lnvolvement, 1984; Commendation from Governor Shreiber, 1977; Commendation from Governor Thompson, 1990. Coach Rundle was a WFCA District Rep for six years, Board of Director for eight years and Executive Director from 1990 to present. Current WFCA duties include: Executive Director, WFCA; Super Raffle (18 years); Chairman, Reebok testing combine; Chairman of WFCA/Badger Football Classic at Camp Randall (48 high schools play per year at Camp Randall): developed the WFCA/Healy Rebate Program; assists in the All-State banquet; newsletter editor of The Point After II (now in 27 states); Director and Chairman of spring football clinic; Chairman of Hall of Fame banquet; Chairman of Hall of Fame facility; liaison to UW athletic department; Shrine/WFCA All-Star game; developed WFCA corporate sponsorship program; direct printing of all WFCA publications and mailing; assists Alex Hilber with WFCA awards program; produces WFCA Summer Football Manual; accepted executive secretary duties in December, 1998; bookkeeper for raffle, combine and classics. Dick is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie; daughters, Anne Christensen of Madison, Lori Thompson of Evansville, and Jan Binder of Sycamore, Ill.; son, Mark (Laurie) Rundle of Monona; six grandchildren, Mary Binder, Nick Christensen, Kate Binder, Kali Thompson, Angela Thompson and Rachael Thompson; brothers, Jim (Judy) Rundle of Washington D.C., and Bruce (Nikki) Rundle of Dodgeville; sister-in-law, Elaine Rundle of Dodgeville; and numerous other relatives and friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Rundle; sister, DeeAnn (Hank) Van Epps; special aunt, Maxine Boylen; son-in-law, Jim Binder; and numerous other relatives. Funeral services will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. Entombment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Oct 26, 2015 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Service
Tue Oct 27, 2015 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Richard have been shared yet.
Memories
TW
Tom Witt
Other •
It was an honor to have played against the Dick Rundle coached football teams. It was always a battle with Monona Grove. It was also an honor working with Coach Rundle during the time I help Coach the WFCA All-Star Shrine Game. It was always great to talk to Coach Rundle and say hi, he always greeted you by saying your name. Sad to hear he is no longer with us.
Tom Witt
Monroe Football
MS
Mary Shaw
Other •
I was one of the original Monona Grovers as a member of the first graduating class. My brother Dave Entwistle, who passed away last July, was one of the first FB players under Dick. I have nothing but the fondest of memories of him and my brother was proud to be one of his players. My class graduated in 1957 as the first graduates. My brother graduated in 1959. We were all so close, as we were so small. It was wonderful. Teachers and students all knowing and caring for one another. They were wonderful times. My very deepest condolences. Prayers and blessings to you all.
TK
Tom Klement
Other •
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Rundle family! We have a special place in our hearts for Dick and the whole family! Growing up with the Rundle's in the 60's and 70's left us with so many great memories, hanging out at the high school, Mustang practices and of course hotels during banquets and such. I even have fond memories when Kitty and I ran into Dick and Marj at Leske's and continued the evening with the "old folks" over at their house. Dick was so proud of his new bar! I imagine Dick, my Dad, Bob and Lud are building some great teams together in heaven now! Dick was a great man from a great era!! Tom & Kitty Klement
CD
Carolyn Dahl
Other •
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time . So many memories of your Dad on Arrowhead Drive . God Bless the entire family in this difficult time . Mike and Carolyn (Moen) Dahl.
DW
Dave Wedeward
Other •
Monona Grove has lost all of its distinguished “old guard”---John Klement, Frank Hlavac and now Dick Rundle, the people who took the Silver Eagles at the grass roots of their existence in 1955 and built them into the greatness the school still enjoys today.
Nobody ever did more for an athletic department than those three. And those of us who have been around Wisconsin high school sports for a long time certainly know it.
Anybody associated with the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and all those in the WFCA Hall of Fame (present company included) also owe Dick Rundle a deep debt of gratitude. As executive director, he made every aspect of that organization as great as his own football program.
For me, it was a great honor to work with him for so many years and be able to call him a good, and deeply respected, friend. He was a true and distinguished educator in every sense of the word, with the best interests of his student/athletes always his highest priority, and his success as a coach always came with the highest degree of integrity.
His passing is felt deeply by all of us care so much about the wonderful things that people like Dick Rundle provide in our schools and on the athletic fields.
Dave Wedeward
Retired from The Janesville Gazette sports staff (1965-2011; sports editor from 1972-2011).
TC
Terrie (Berigan) Carlisle
Other •
I am so sorry for your loss. One of my happiest memories was when "tough" Coach Rundle sat on his living room floor playing with my new baby! I was so proud! What a wonderful man in every way! RIP Mr. Rundle and all my love to your family... for real.