Richard Lewis Roe
November 26, 1941 - July 06, 2019
Obituary
MADISON-Richard Lewis Roe passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019. He was born in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio. Richard graduated from high school in Hanover Park New Jersey and served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 1960-1962. He graduated from Marietta College in Ohio with a B.A. in Business Administration and from the UW-Madison in 1971 with a M.A. in American History.
Richard served the Legislative Reference Bureau from 1983-2005 and published several bulletins. He was active in Grace Episcopal Church and St. Dunstan’s until his death. He sang in several civic and church choirs throughout his years in Madison and served in AFS, Good Neighbor Fest and Middleton Outreach Ministry Board while living in Middleton.
Richard is most remembered for his work in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (1957-his death). He published three books of poetry “What Will You Find at the Edge of the World,” “Bringer of Songs,” and “Knots of Sweet Longing.” His final work will be published in the fall of 2019: “Poems of Song, Tango, and Jazz.” He was also a member of the Wisconsin Tango Society and was raised Master Mason in 2001 and served as Master of the FLDLH 362 for one year.
In 1967, he married Barbara Kuhl in Monongahela, Pa., and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2017. He was blessed with two daughters, eight grandsons and one great-grandson. By “adoption” he also had an AFS daughter, Nthipi (Sfiso) Mthethewa and their two children Kathato and Sthemba.
Richard is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Meghan (David) Schultz and Meredith (Jeff) Foydl; eight grandsons, Aaron (Savana), Jesse (Whitney), Taylor, Trevor, Nicholas, Miles, Alex, and Grant; one great-grandson, Darlington; and his sister, Kay (William) Newell.
Richard will be cremated and his ashes scattered in a private family service. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held later in 2019 for his family and friends.
Please make any contributions to the Madison Children’s Dyslexic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave., Madison WI 53703. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
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Memories
KM
Kathy Miner
Other •
I am tremendously saddened to learn of Richard's death. I knew him primarily through poetry. He was always very kind and encouraging to me, especially in the early years of my involvement with WFOP. I will always remember how he blended poetry and music, sometimes bringing a boombox to poetry readings to furnish 'background' for his work. In the words of Carl Sandburg,
Drum on your drums, batter on your banjos,
sob on the long cool winding saxophones.
Go to it, O jazzmen!
The world of Wisconsin poetry is a poorer one without Richard Roe in it.
Kathy Miner, Madison
Member, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets
JT
Jennifer Tabor
Other •
I am saddened by the news of Meredith's father passing away. From what I know of Meredith, her father must have been a really incredible man. He leaves behind a really amazing daughter who is doing such great work healing those who are hurting. While I did not know her father personally, I can assure you that he is leaving a legacy in his daughter. Praying for Meredith and her family in this most difficult time.
MK
Mike Kriesel
Other •
I have many fond memories of Richard from Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets Conferences over the years. One of my favorites is of the two of us reading a poem out loud together. His joyful light will be missed.
JL
Janet Leahy
Other •
A wonderful poet, encouraging to all of us in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Year after year it was fun to see him enjoying the music in the harp tent at
Irish fest! We will miss him.
Janet Leahy
PJ
Pat Jones
Other •
Although I only new him from our library book group, I will remember him--and thank him--for giving the best book recommendations ever. Now to find his poetry... Pat Jones
MB
Michael Belon
Other •
and the celestial choir has a new bass voice
added resonating from his cherished Middleton
choir in the here and now.
Michael Belongie