RICHARD CHARLES RUTLEDGE (Dick), age 92, passed away peacefully Friday morning, September 29, 2006 at Aurora Medical Center. He was born on August 15, 1914 in Evanston, Illinois to Frank E. and Anne L. (VonUlrich) Rutledge. Dick married Adelle J. Rosenbach on September 28, 1935 in 'The Little Church Around The Corner' located in New York, New York.



Dick attended several grade schools throughout the country and was graduated from high school in Buffalo, NY. After graduating from City College he married his high school sweetheart Adelle who passed away March 14, 1999.



In 1948 he took employment with the former Geer-Murray Advertising Agency. His previous employment had taken them from New York, NY with Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney to Atlanta, GA with Sears Roebuck then Chicago, IL with Aldens and Speigel. In 1969, after 21 years as an account executive and Vice President of Geer-Murray, The Rutledge Co was formed to handle a broader spectrum of advertising, public relations, committee assignments and many community related activities. Most community related activities were volunteer.



Dick served in many capacities in church, city and surrounding community activities. He most certainly has touched, from time to time, the lives of every Oshkosh citizen. A few of his better-known activities were Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis Club, member from 1948, Oshkosh Jaycees, receiving the Distinguished Service Award for "Outstanding Contributions to the Community," Community Chest then United Way, and multiple responsibilities with the Oshkosh Museum, Boys and Girls Club, Oshkosh Senior Center, United Cerebral Palsy, Grand Opera House, Oshkosh S.C.O.R.E. Group, both the Miss Oshkosh Pageant and Miss Wisconsin Pageants. He was a member of the committee moving the E.A.A. to Oshkosh and active with Winneconne during their mock secession from the State of Wisconsin.



He was involved with the Oshkosh Frontier Days as a fund raiser to build Pollock Pool. As an historian eligible for, though never joining the SAR (Son's of the American Revolution), he researched the history of Oshkosh, wrote the history of the First National Bank for its 1852-1952 Centennial and helped prepare the history of Trinity Episcopal Church.



Dick organized the drive for the Republican Education Foundation to build a memorial building in Ripon. He coordinated the Neenah-Menasha Centennial celebration. Dick was co-founder of the West Side Association and editor of the West Side Newsletter. He was an honorary member of the Police Chiefs Association and designed the Oshkosh Police Departments "Crime Check." Also he became involved with The Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida.



Survivors include two sons and one daughter. David C. Rutledge of Phoenix, Arizona, Richard J. Rutledge and his wife Suzanne (Romme) of Nashotah, Wisconsin and daughter Diane L. Boles of Sarasota, Florida; eight Grandchildren and twelve Great-Grandchildren. Preceding Dick in death are his wife, parents, and daughter-in-Law, Gwen (Hammack) Rutledge.



A Memorial Service and Mass will be celebrated October 14, 2006 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church with Reverend Steven Powers as officiant. Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent, in his name, to Trinity Episcopal Church at 311 Division Street, Oshkosh, for restoration of their beautiful, historic, 'Angel Window.'
Condolences may also be given online at www.seefeldfuneral.com.


Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750