Richard Alan Amundson
May 28, 1927 - October 26, 2022
Obituary
STOUGHTON - Richard Alan "Dick" Amundson, 95, of Stoughton, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Stoughton Hospital. He was born on May 28, 1927, in Stoughton, the son of Arthur J. and Mabel (Martinson) Amundson.
His family spent summers on Lake Kegonsa, operating a grocery store and dance pavilion at what is now Amundson Landing, a public boat access site.
During World War II, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Stoughton High School Senior and graduated in May 1945. After training at Great Lakes Naval Base, he worked on an auxiliary seaplane tender and an escort carrier in east Asia. After his return, he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Madison in 1951 and worked in the insurance industry for nearly forty years, retiring in 1989.
Richard married Graciela Pineda on Oct. 24, 1959, in the historic colonial cathedral in her hometown of Taxco, Mexico. He built their house, with the help from family and friends, in Stoughton where they have resided since. In his younger years, Richard had many interests including having a recreational pilot’s license; softball, bowling and trap shooting; fishing; wild bird and deer hunting; woodworking; photography; reading; history and travel. He enjoyed visiting relatives and traveling with his family, so there were many 'road’ trips across the US and as far away as southern Mexico. One unique family trip was by train directly from Stoughton to Mexico City. More recently, Richard traveled through England, Norway and felt fortunate to go on the Badger Honor Flight to Washington, DC., in October of 2010.
He donated his time and energy in various ways: serving on the Stoughton school board; managing his son’s T-ball team; making authentic piñatas and cutting down Christmas trees for his children’s elementary classes; chaperoning a week-long Wyalusing State Park field trip; working at St. Ann’s church outdoor skating rink; selling concessions at Stoughton H.S. sporting events and hosting a high school exchange student for an entire school year. As a member of the Otis Sampson American Legion Post 59, he made French toast for their breakfast fundraisers for many years.
Most important to Richard was being part of a larger family and he was especially grateful to see all of his grandchildren graduate from high school and watch them become adults.
Surviving him are his wife, Chela; daughter, Michelle Amundson (Andrew Burroughs); son, Richard M. Amundson; grandchildren, Graciela Burroughs (Lee Starovich), Juliana Amundson, Philip Amundson and Vincent Moat; sister, Louise Schmoll (Ralph); and brother-in-law, Russ Chadbourn. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur, William and Gloria Chadbourn.
A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Richard's obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast Link at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service on Saturday.
Memorials may be given in Richard’s name to Alzheimer/Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin; DonateLifeAmerica; or the Stoughton Historical Society.
The family wishes to thank Stoughton Hospital and Nazareth Health & Rehab for their dedicated care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590