Richard W. Hinrichs
July 11, 1945 - July 26, 2019
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Richard “Dick” W. Hinrichs, age 74, of Middleton, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019, at his home farm in Middleton. He was born on July 11, 1945, in Madison, the son of Roman and Carrie (Jungbluth) Hinrichs.
Dick graduated from Middleton High School in 1963. Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1963-65, during the Vietnam War. He married JoAnne Hoeritz on Feb. 25, 1967, at St Luke’s Lutheran Church. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1970. Dick was an entrepreneur at heart and over the years worked in construction, real estate, and also owned an auto mechanic and trucking business. Most recently he was part owner of a commercial warehouse business as well as part owner of a natural gas company.
Dick’s true passion in life was serving as a Christian missionary. Sharing the gospel has taken him across the world on nearly fifty mission trips with different Christian organizations such as Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ International) and ISP (International School Project). His primary focus was training public school teachers on character education and the Bible. He was also involved in prison ministry, one-on-one Christian mentoring, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. He served as a Chaplin for Samaritan’s Purse “Rapid Response Team” for Natural Disasters, and the American Legion Honor Guard Firing Squad.
Dick was a man of integrity; humble, fun loving, and extremely generous. He touched countless lives and was always willing to help anyone at any time. With every mission trip he left with large suitcases of clothing, gifts, Bibles, and money. He would return with nothing but the clothes he was wearing.
Dick loved spending his time working outdoors cutting wood, tending to his vegetable garden and sweet corn patch, and taking care of his chickens. He also enjoyed biking, snowmobiling, traveling, studying the Bible, classic cars, and especially spending time with his three grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his wife JoAnne, two daughters, Sheila (Jordy) Matusiewicz and Shannon (Brian) Barman; three grandchildren, Ava, Mya and Max; brother, Jim (Joyce) Hinrichs; and sister, Wanda Hinrichs-Hellenbrand. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Carrie Hinrichs; and a sister, Jeanne.
A memorial service will be held at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Madison at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, with the Rev. Chris Dolson presiding. A time of fellowship will follow the service. Burial with military rites will be held at St. Luke’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, and again at the church from 9 a.m. until the start of the service on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to the family which will be donated in Dick's memory to Cru and ISP to help spread the gospel.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Visitation
Tue Jul 30, 2019 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Middleton • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
Memories
MB
Mike Brast
Other •
It's with a tearful but joyous goodbye that I post this tribute to Dick Hinrichs, my friend and associate in proclaiming Christ's love throughout the world. Thank Dick for showing me the great joy in giving, giving without measure. Thank you for showing me how even though someone is far away and does not have the same background/upbringing as myself, we can still reach out as friends and share the love of God with them. Praying for your entire family as they celebrate your life, memory, and seek God's comfort in the mourning of the loss of a husband, father, grandfather and friend. "May the peace of God surpass all understanding..." during this time of loss. Philippians 4:7.
LF
Luke Fuszard
Other •
Dick was an amazing man who was deeply committed to making this world a better place. I was consistently in awe of his energy and ability to successfully balance so many initiatives at once. He was also a very humble man who rarely spoke of himself and his own accomplishments. For example, few knew that Dick would travel the world to educate others on important topics like faith, character, and community. May we all aspire to have a similar impact in our own lives.
GH
Gunderson Funeral Home
Other •
Shared a photo.
EH
Ellery Hall
Other •
I thank God for Dick Hinrichs and his work with the International School Project in both Russia and Ukraine. I had the privilege in working together with Dick on ISP teams which went into both those counties during the last many years. As my friend Mike Brast has already written I will be praying for your entire family as you celebrate Dick’s life, and work and seek God’s comfort in the mourning of the loss of a husband, father, grandfather and friend.
TP
Tom Purinton
Other •
We first met Dick on a mission trip to PNG in 2011. He was so great to work with and we have remained friends through all these years. He was a great man of prayer and always prayed and encouraged us as we shared our prayer requests and mission trip adventures and we in turn prayed for him and his mission trips. We were blessed to meet his wife, JoAnne, and met them for dinner when they came through town and enjoyed our friendship with them. Our hearts go out to JoAnne and all the family as we grieve this loss with them but we rejoice that Dick is now rejoicing in heaven with the savior he loved and served so well.
RA
Ray Albrektson
Other •
I have known Dick for so many years on at least a dozen International School Project mission trips and will miss him terribly. I could always count on him for a rousing discussion on many subjects (often political), but his heart to serve God and take the gospel to where it hasn't penetrated will inspire me for the rest of my life. On my last trip with Dick he again impressed me with his desire to "make Jesus known"--whatever the cost or consequences. His commitment to physical exercise and fitness always challenged me, but not sufficiently to join him in the many circuits he would make of some limited hotel hallway. I remember him in Cuba, connecting via cellphone to his loved ones while strolling in the courtyard, and I had to leave the hotel to avoid inadvertently eavesdropping on his conversation. He was not quiet about the gospel, and in fact wasn't quiet about anything he loved. I'll really miss him, and will take his memory with me until I see him again in the "Well-done, good and faithful servant" section of heaven.