Richard A DeFoe
June 10, 1942 - October 15, 2021
Obituary
VERONA - Richard A. “Dick” DeFoe, age 79, of Verona, Wis., passed away in his home after a long illness on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Dick was born on June 10, 1942, the son of Philip and Dorothy DeFoe in Fort Dodge, Iowa. On Jan. 2, 1988, he married Donna Mathias in Freeport, Ill.
Dick worked his entire adult life in the business of material handling. He was nationally known for his intricate and precise renditions of complex design work. Dick's last position was the National Manager of Flow and Pushback for Steel King Industries, Inc. He enjoyed his colleagues and was proud to work for that company.
Dick enjoyed the companionship of his golf buddies, he took pride in the craftmanship of his woodworking projects, and kept optimistic that his Viking football team would somehow win the game.
He was most proud of his children: Kevin DeFoe of Chandler, Ariz., Kelly DeFoe of Dubuque, Iowa, Laura (John) DeFoe of Madison, Wis., and Dana (Rob) DeFoe Mifflin of Sun Lakes, Ariz. Dick was also the proud grandfather to Jessika, Brooklyn, Jayden and Emma. Dick is survived by his sister, Patty (John) DeFoe Ford of Kissimmee, Fla. Dick was preceded in death by his father, Philip; his mother, Dorothy; and his sister, Phyllis DeFoe McMurran.
Dick was mostly known for his kindness towards others and his gentle wit that brought smiles to others.
Per Dick’s request. No funeral or memorial will be held. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002
Events
Cremation Witness
Tue Oct 26, 2021 @ 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care • 500 N. 8th St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572
Photos
Memories
JA
Jay Anderson
Other •
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Dick. Truly one of the finest gentlemen in the entire material handling industry, and a profound pleasure to have worked with for nearly fifteen years. He made great contributions to Steel King and was so respected and loved across the industry. I like many others am better for having known him. Prayers to the whole family from the Anderson's. God Bless.
RW
Ryan Wachsmuth
Other •
See you later alligator. After while crocodile. For years that is how we ended our daily phone calls. I miss those days Dick. You took me under your wing and taught me things not many others knew. Your jokes were second to none, and I use a couple of them to this day. We have a few of those amazing sketches still at Steel King, and we always point out the level of detail in those drawings to people we show. Driving down the road together you pointed to a construction site, with only the shell of a building and said, "Someone already has the racking for that building". That seemed impossible to me, but you were right. I've been on sales calls with you and I was amazed at the comfort level you gave the end user. At times I feel like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy on calls, but I've knocked some out of the park. I owe those to you man. The 19th hole plaque you gave us is still at work, so we can remember the golf legend. We have the stories to tell that we have been with you on, and many stories that we get to hear from others, those kept you part of our lives these past years. You are going to be missed Dick, by so many. I hope your family knows the impact you had on so many. I was one, and will never forget everything you did. I was hoping our Vikings could pull one out for us. They will some day, and when they do........SKOL!! So long for now friend....See you later alligator. - Ryan
PF
Patricia Ford
Other •
Everyone loved my big brother , he always had me laughing , he worked hard and when he retired he and Donna were going to travel , but parkinson's took over😢 nobody else in the family ever had it we couldn't figure out where it came from, our sister mom and grandma all died of Alzheimer's , so our family has had their share of heartaches , I love you Dick God Bless you 🙏🙏🙏
MH
Mark Hambrecht
Other •
My condolences to all. I, along with my wife Laurie and our two kids, Nick and Mackenzie, was next door neighbor to Dick and Donna until a few years ago. Beyond that good fortune, these two could always be counted on to bring additional energy to our annual Halloween gala. I recall Dick arriving one year moovelously attired as a milk cow, much to everyone's delight. A good neighbor and as indicated by many other comments here, a great man. I know he will be missed. Mark Hambrecht and Family
D
Dana
Other •
My father was a great man. Obviously I have so many memories, dancing to his favorite music when we were little, letting us do his hair, helping knock down walls in houses, golfing, playing cards, him pouring coffee on his pancakes, his jokes, his laugh, all his wood working projects, he always remodeled every home we lived in, his Viking pipe, his checkered paper where he drew all his racking projects for work, he made gingerbread houses with Jessika every Christmas, sledding on the big hill with Jessika in Madison, watching Christmas Vacation every year, cutting down Christmas trees, hanging lights on the roof at his home, his love for Donna and Laura….I can go on and on. I’m honored to be his daughter and will miss him terribly. Thanks for raising me to be who I am today. I hope I made you proud. Love you dad ❤️ Your daughter Dana😘
KD
Kelly DeFoe
Other •
Hi dad, I think of you everyday. Our trip on the cruise, hitting you with the under water camera, watching Christmas Vacation and non stop laughing, time you told me I didn't look like a boy after they messed my hair up, your laugh, your amazing stories, your love for all of us even when it was hard to show. I can go on and on dad. I'm sorry there weren't many more. I will see you again and we will ALL be here for mom (Donna), Sis (Laura), and Lily. Thank you dad for Everything you did for me throughout my whole life. I 💕😘 you. Thank you for being my dad.