Charles R. Case II
August 20, 1947 - August 19, 2021
Obituary
CROSS PLAINS - Charles Ransford “Randy” Case II, son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away from cancer on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, one day shy of his 74th birthday. Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles R. Case I and Ilyeene Case; and his brother, Steven K. Case. Randy is survived by his wife, Beth Ann Hamilton; brother, Bruce W. Case; sister, Catherine E. “Cathi” Case; son, Charles R. Case III (Monica); son, Peter S. Case (Aneta); son, David H. Case (Kristen); and grandchildren, Madeleine, Michael, and Alexander. A fourth grandchild is due in December.
A lifelong believer in education, Randy graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1965 and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1969. He held two master’s degrees: in physics from Iowa State University (1971) and in botany from the University of Michigan (1974). He was particularly proud of his secondary education teaching certificate in science and mathematics earned at the University of Michigan in 1974.
Randy dedicated his career to protecting Wisconsin’s water quality at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (1974-2009). In partnership with communities around the state, he was a leader in efforts to reduce pollutants in Wisconsin’s waters. For his work, he was awarded the 2009 Bernhauer Leadership Award from the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association and the 2009 President’s Award of Honor from the Wisconsin Dental Association. He also represented Wisconsin in the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies in 2000 and 2001, and served as a member of the Department of Natural Resources diversity team.
Randy loved the village of Cross Plains, where he made his home since 1976. He served from 1978 to 2021 on the Plan Commission and from 1980 to 2011 on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Among his accomplishments, he was most proud of preserving the natural, undeveloped beauty of the village’s surrounding bluffs.
Randy had a passion for living and found joy in diverse pursuits. Sources of happiness included performing in musicals in high school, watching his children become parents, trout fishing, building a cabin in northeastern Wisconsin, taking family road trips to the American southwest, accumulating a Native American art collection, assembling a six-generation collection of family genealogical materials, and communing with friends at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. Randy was deeply kind and considerate of everyone he met, and was characterized by his profound curiosity for the world and the people around him.
A memorial service will be held at ST. DUNSTAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 6205 University Ave., Madison, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Visitation will be held at the church from 6 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wisconsin Public Radio or Wisconsin Public Television. 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
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317-496-3475
Other •
My deepest sympathies to Randy Case’s family. In the limited time that I got to know him, I know that he loved his family deeply. He was a kind and gentle man and I genuinely liked him. Randy Foster
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Bill Daniel
Other •
I was mostly a child or young adult when I was near Randy, but what have long made an impression on my memory are his smile, his wholesome laughter, and his interest in others. May he rest in peace. - Bill Daniel (Maryland)
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Paul Yochum
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Beth, Charles, Peter and David, Marcia and I are thinking of you all. We have known Randy since the year he arrived in Cross Plains, the same year as us, in 1976. We grew up together with our oldest children. When I was on the Village Board, I worked closely with Randy as he chaired the committee on bringing public bus transportation to the Village. We admired his brilliance in observing and evaluating all the data and then coming to the correct decision. He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Remember the good times with Randy as we know there were so many. We will watch for the notice of celebration of his life. Paul & Marcia Yochum
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Bob DeBroux
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We first met Randy and Beth when we bought a lot in their Cross Plains neighborhood from them. I quickly pegged Randy as someone who could be trusted to get the facts straight and the numbers in order, based on that transaction. That allowed us to write the check and leave the rest of the details with Randy. Over the years I've had many conversations with Randy as we would run into each other randomly either as he was walking by the house from work or a walk with Beth, or on "Covid walks" on the boardwalk which framed the Black Earth Creek. I believe we learned something from each other on every encounter, as both of us liked to exchange facts, opinions, and musings. I also think I got to know Randy through these encounters as he wore his integrity and his values on his face. He was light-hearted and serious at the same time, and both aspects came out in each encounter. His presence in the neighborhood is missed, but his influence on the world around him paints a fitting memorial.
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Kelly Wolfe
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Such a wonderful description of Randy's life. Whenever speaking with him, I always felt he was truly interested in my life or what I had to say. Such a kind and genuine man.
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Jennifer Cullimore
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I'm so sorry for your loss. Lifting your whole family up in prayer.