Richard "Dick" Dale Derber, age 91, of Oshkosh, passed away August 12, 2017, with his family by his side. He was born November 13, 1925, in the Town of Black Wolf to the late Harve and Bonnetta "Bonnie" Hart Derber. Dick was raised on a truck farm with older brothers Dave, Russell, Bob, and Don and younger sister Mary. He attended Boyd School, a one-room schoolhouse and graduated in 1941 from Rose C. Swart Training School. He also attended Oshkosh High School and graduated with honors in 1944.
Dick had many interests while growing up. He collected coins, belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and enjoyed photography with some of his pictures appearing in his high school yearbook. His brothers all served in WWII; Dave sailed with the Merchant Marines in the Pacific while Russell, Bob, and Don were in the US Army in Europe. Dick, the youngest son, had already been to Milwaukee and passed his physical. He, however, was needed on the farm and received a farm deferment. He especially enjoyed dancing and attended the dances at the Eagles Club where he met Marie Kratz from Omro. He asked her out; they went dancing and their first date was topped off with a strawberry sundae at Leon's Frozen Custard.
On June 19, 1948, Richard married Marie at Trinity Lutheran Church in Borth. They had recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Dick and Marie bought a 100 acre farm south of Oshkosh and milked 32 cows. This farm is where they raised five children, Howard, Richard, Janet, Wayne, and Jane. Dick won a contest for plowing the straightest furrows and was honored as a Corn Growing Champion for Winnebago County in 1954.
He was active in his community. Dick served on the board for Black Wolf School, the one room school his older children attended, and the church council at St. John's Lutheran Church of Nekimi, where he was a longtime member. He also encouraged his children to join the Howlett Hustlers 4-H Club and was the tractor project leader for many years.
He was passionate about life. Planting trees and growing fruits and vegetables brought him great pleasure. He especially liked to pick the fruits that ended up baked in one of Marie's pies. While cultivating the cornfields he searched diligently for Indian arrowheads. Dick loved watching bluebirds and built many birdhouses which he placed around the farm. A summer favorite was taking his family bluegill fishing on Little Green Lake.
Throughout their marriage Marie and Dick loved dancing and became members of the We Love to Dance Club. The couple joined friends to snowmobile near home, around the lake, and in the Crivitz area. At home they put together jigsaw puzzles and played sheepshead and schmear with family and friends whenever possible. The entire family cheered on the Green Bay Packers to many victories. When they retired from milking cows, they drove to see Niagara Falls, a space shuttle launch, Grand Ole Opry, the World's Fair in Tennessee, the Arizona desert, Mackinac Island, Thunder Bay, Canada, and the Apostle Islands.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Howard of Fond du Lac, Richard (Jean) of Oshkosh, Janet of Lombard, IL, Wayne (Melody) of Sandwich, IL, and Jane (John) Schubert of Fond du Lac; his grandchildren, Alicia Katherine, Jill Heather, Wendi (Dave), Loree, Scott, Lindsey, Jesse (Lyndsey), Levi (Katie), Matthew, Allison (fiancé Andrew), and Taylor; his great-grandchildren, Camryn, Zoe, Miles, Nathan, Charles, and Samantha; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty Derber, Ray Marks, Norman Schneiter, Ruthy & Clair Retzlaff. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie, their infant son, his siblings and their spouses, David & Lois, Russell & Marcella, Robert, Donald & Ginny, and Mary & Charles Ross.
A Celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Nekimi, 491 Old Oregon Road, Oshkosh. Family and friends will be received at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. The family extends a special thank you to the warm and caring staff in Serenity Garden of Bethel Home. Family and friends are encouraged to plant their own tree and put up a bluebird house in memory of Dick.