Richard C. "Dick" Thern, age 79 of Naples, Florida, formerly of Oshkosh and Waupaca, Wisconsin died Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in Naples, Florida. He was born March 25, 1930 in Madison, the son of Phil and Luella (Schramm) Thern. On March 12, 1955 he married Constance Joy Mahan. Dick was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served as Staff Sergeant during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1954.
During his youth, Dick was born and raised in Madison, where he enjoyed playing ice hockey for various teams. He pursued this passion while stationed in Alaska when serving in the Air Force.
In his post secondary education, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin Platteville in Structural Engineering and obtained his architectural license. In 2001 he received the "Distinguished Alumnus" awards from the University of Wisconsin Plateville. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and a Registered Architect and Engineer.
Dick and his family resided in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where his career flourished as owner of Thern Associates, Inc. an architectural and engineering firm. He was a member of the Oshkosh Kiwanis Club and was twice awarded the Kiwanis International Life Saving Award. He was also an aviation enthusiast, a member of Mercy Wings and held a position on the Wisconsin Aviation Advisory Board.
In 1974 Dick and Connie opened a new engineering firm in Waupaca, Wisconsin where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Over the course of his career, he completed over 300 design projects including 200 schools, churches, funeral homes and various municipal projects. He introduced the "open concept" design with the Jacob Shapiro Elementary School. Dick was awarded the "Outstanding Architects for Educational Facilities" designation by the National School Board Association. His award winning projects include the Oneida Elementary School "Turtle Design" featured in Modern Contemporary Architecture; the Jackson Hole High School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Deforest Middle School. Dick authored many construction related articles. Among those published were "Engineering Safety in Schools" and "Innovative Planning in Modern Schools." He volunteered as guest lecturer for the AIA, high school career days and other community organizations.
Dick enjoyed his family home on Long Lake in Waushara County where he was a member of the Long Lake Association and Yacht Club. His hobbies included flying, snowmobiling, sailing, hunting, swimming, boating and golf. As an avid golfer, Dick achieved two official hole-in-ones.
During their retirement years, Dick and Connie moved to Naples, Florida. Dick was an active member of the Royal Wood Country Club where he played golf almost daily. He also continued to devote his time to education by focusing on school related issues in Collier County, entering his name as a school board candidate in 2006. The welfare of children was ever on his mind.
Dick will be dearly missed be his devoted wife of 54 years, Connie; his children, Randy (Sharon) Thern, Brian (Bonni) Miller) Thern, Tracy (Bernie) Landerman, and Kimberly (Brian) Burns; his grandchildren, Natasha, Ryan, Solia, and Marina Thern, Katelyn Landerman, and Sydney and Davey Burns. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary; mother-in-law Hazel Spink; and his parents Luella and Phil Thern.
Memorial Service for Richard will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 5, 2009 at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 300 North Eagle Street, Oshkosh, with Reverend Tony Fuller officiating. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Inurnment at Riverside Cemetery will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Dick's memory be sent to a memorial fund that has been established at Youth Haven, an organization devoted to helping children and at-risk families, 5867 Whitaker Road, Naples, Florida. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.
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