Richard M. "Chief" "Spook" Pease, age 72, of Oshkosh, died Saturday evening, May 28, 2011, at his home after a lengthy illness. Born on July 15, 1938, in Long Beach, California, to John M. and Charlotte B. (Harris) Pease, Dick married Virginia McDearmid in 1955 and later married Debra Koehn Neumann on January 21, 1995, in Milwaukee.
A career Navy man, Dick served his country from 1955 to 1975, completing two tours in Vietnam, where he was the recipient of two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. Upon his retirement from service, Dick was employed by Winnebago Mental Health Institute as a Power Plant Engineer until retiring in 1993 after 17 years.
Interested in diverse areas, Dick was a member of the Zodiacs Motorcycle Club, the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club (serving as State President from 1994-1997), Military Order of the Purple Heart in Arkansas as Chapter Commander (2002-04, 2005-09) and State Commander (2004-06), held various positions in the VFW and DAV, volunteered at the VFW as a bingo caller and worker. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing, hunting, arrowhead hunting, line dancing, and loved all types of animals and critters, including his many dogs throughout his lifetime.
Survivors include his wife, Debra Pease of Oshkosh; children, Charlotte (Tim) Baehman of Oshkosh, Richard Pease of Waupun, Joseph Pease of Oshkosh, and Terry (Lori) Pease of Pickett; step-children, Susie (Roy) Hancock of Knoxville, Tennessee, Kelly Neumann of Kimberly, and Tracy Neumann of Oshkosh; step-dad, Joseph McNabb of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; father-in-law, John Koehn of Oshkosh; grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Griswold, Benjamin (Nena) Lotzer, Brian Baehman, Richard Pease III, and Ashley Pease; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Lipp, Katie Lipp, Sheridan Hermes, Jay (Sue) Baehman, and Michael (Elan) Baehman; great-grandchildren, Aidyn Griswold, McKenna Voss, and Eliza Lotzer; step-great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Zachary, Brad, and Tyler Baehman; his siblings, Jerry (Rosemary) Pease of Phoenix, Oregon, Barbara (Bruce) Gosnell of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Joanie (Rick) Carmen of Ponte Vidre, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews; Doug Kienast and many close friends here and in Mountain Home, Arkansas; and his dog, Brady. Preceding Dick in death are his parents, mother-in-law, Marcella Koehn, and a brother, Danny Joe McNabb.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. in Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street. Full Military Honors will be given by the United Honor Guard following the service. Family and friends may gather on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service for sharing memories. In lieu of flowers, Dick's family is establishing a memorial in his memory. A special thank you to Mikki Futta for the loving and compassionate care given to Dick during his final days. Thank you also to Tim Baehman, Doug Kienast, neighbors Joe and Tina, and Affinity Hospice for all their help. Dick was loved and respected by many and will be greatly missed by his family and numerous friends. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.
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