Richard "Dick" Whalen

Richard Whalen

July 3, 1932 – January 15, 2025

Richard (Dick) Whalen passed away January 15th in the beautiful setting of AngelsGrace Hospice.

A visitation will take place at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (NEW LOCATION: 2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066) on February 1st from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with a service to follow, where friends and family will gather to celebrate Dick’s remarkable life.

Dick’s survivors include Floss, his wife of 70 years; three sons, Michael, Timothy and Terence; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Will) Elmer, Max, Sam, Brody, Molly, Nicholas, Audrey, and Jack Whalen; and two great-granddaughters, Olivia and Penny Elmer. He was preceded in death by his son, Patrick.

A great husband and father, Dick was proud of being the husband of Oconomowoc’s first woman Mayor, cheered on sons Mike and Tim in their OHS wrestling matches, and was pleased to coach his son Terry in debate. He believed his son, Paddy, a person with Down Syndrome, made him a better teacher.

Teaching was Dick’s passion and he treasured his students’ progress more than the teaching awards he received. He taught US History and Economics and coached debate and forensics for almost 40 years, most of them at Oconomowoc High School. Graduates at 50-year class reunions would often recite the Preamble of the Constitution to him, which they were required to memorize in his 9th grade Civics classes.

Dick believed good citizenship included community service. He served as Chair of the Oconomowoc United Fund Drive, President of the Jaycees, President of the local teachers union where he successfully bargained for equal pay for women teachers, and President of the Senior Center, where he oversaw the move to its present location. He was active in Greener Oconomowoc, St. Bruno’s Green Team, and the Oconomowoc Area AARP Chapter. In 2010, he and his wife received the Rotary Citizen of the Year award. He deserved his 92 plus years upon the planet he worked to save.

His family is grateful to the Western Lakes EMT’s, the staff at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, the volunteers and staff at AngelsGrace Hospice, the “Towner Crest Family”, and the many friends, who provided loving support.

Memorials are suggested to the OASD Scholarship Fund, the AngelsGrace Hospice, the Food Pantry, or the OASC.