Frederick Richard Luedke

Frederick Richard (Rick) Luedke passed away on March 1, 2024 in Oconomowoc, WI. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Kathryn (Katy) Meyers Luedke, his sister Katherine Luedke Yost of Irvine, CA, his daughter Elizabeth Anne McNerney of Cambridge, MA, his son John FC Luedke of McLean, VA, and his grandchildren Emerson, Zoe and Rayne McNerney and Adriana Luedke. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick AG Luedke and Katherine Kiel Luedke also of Milwaukee and Sun City, AZ.

Rick was born and grew up in Milwaukee, attended Henry Clay Grade School, Whitefish Bay High School and went on to Dartmouth College, graduating in 1959. He served as an officer in the US Air Force and worked for “the government” gathering intelligence before returning to Milwaukee to join the family automotive business. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago. After selling the automotive business he worked as a management consultant at Anderson-Roethle in Milwaukee and stepped in to support Frankfurth Hardware Co. He eventually returned to the automotive business with a chain of engine service shops.

Upon his retirement from the formal business world, Rick drove a big yellow school bus for Dousman Transport as well as motor coach excursions for Rite-Way throughout the Midwest. He also brought his life experiences to teaching in the business school at Cardinal Stritch.

Rick was active in his church communities: Saint Christopher’s in River Hills and Saint Peters in North Lake.

Rick was a member of Milwaukee Rotary and served as president in 1988-89. In 1991-92 he combined his love of driving, Wisconsin, & meeting people as he traversed the SE sector of the state in the role of District 6270 Governor. Rick served as a team leader for Rotary International's business outreach India in 1979 and the childhood polio eradication effort in the 2000s.

From his American Field Service (AFS) high-school exchange student trip to Germany to Director of the World Affairs Seminar at the UW Whitewater campus in the 2000s, Rick had a love for gathering people together and making connections.

Gathering his family has also been important to Rick. Through the years, off-spring and cousins have traveled from near and far to enjoy time with Deppa/Uncle Rick/Dad at Beaver Lake and way up north on Milwaukee Bay at Crab Lake. There was always a Gin Rummy score going somewhere - and Rick was often ahead on the “streets”. A nice scotch with a few rocks and a fire in the fireplace made it just right.

Please feel welcome to join us to remember and celebrate Rick - he would have wanted it that way.

Memorial Service at Pagenkopf Funeral Home 2228 Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 at 10:30 am Friday April 19, 2024 with Celebration of Life/reception at Chenequa Country Club, Chenequa, WI 1-5pm.

The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers or gifts be given to:

The Salvation Army - Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division - 11315 W. Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or on their website.

The Rotary Club of Milwaukee’s Community Fund contributions in Rick’s memory will support the MKE Urban Stables - Rick loved horses. Please mail to: 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. #320 Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Or a charity of your choice.