Obituary of Dick Lewis Goldamer

Dick Lewis Goldamer passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, with family by his side, due to multiple medical complications.

Dick was born to Lewis and Daila (Hoffman) Goldamer on December 30, 1944, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. His family moved from Abbottsford to Wisconsin Rapids in 1956. Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Europe with an Engineering Battalion operating heavy equipment from 1964-1966. Dick became employed by Badger Ordnance Plant in Baraboo before joining Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company (Georgia Pacific, Domtar). He retired from Domtar in 2008 as a Paper Machine Operator after 37 years of service to the company.

Dick was a loyal member and supporter of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School where he served as an usher. He was a member of the Clock and Bell Tower Committee, raising funds by building birdbaths from balusters he salvaged from the demolition of the old Grand Avenue Bridge. Dick was blessed with an extremely analytical and inventive mind, improving every vehicle and piece of equipment he owned, preserving his possessions with impeccable maintenance. He restored old slot machines, disassembling, repairing and reassembling the complicated mechanisms with no parts left over. Over the years, Dick cherished and unselfishly shared use of his vehicles, particularly his Corvettes, and most recently his GMC pickups. Dick had a fascination and incredible knowledge of ancient Egyptian culture and archeology. In 2016, his lifelong dream was fulfilled when he toured the ancient ruins, tombs and most importantly, the pyramids of Egypt.  

Other interests included competitively playing Texas Hold'em, daily Sudoku puzzles, Brewers and Packers games, local paper mill history, happy hour by the river with the guys and frequent trips to Plainfield. He cherished his family and many friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brother-in-law, Fred Johnson; aunts; uncles; and nephew, Joe Schillinger.

He is survived by three sisters, Gloria (Don) Brody of Minocqua, Donna (Lyle) Brown of Anchorage, Alaska, Jean Schillinger of Wisconsin Rapids; and brother-in-law, Don Schillinger of Wisconsin Rapids. He is further survived by his nieces and nephews, along with great, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Dick was a "one of a kind" sort of guy with a big heart. He will be greatly missed and remain forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 140 8th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, with visitation also at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Monday. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Cemetery, Hwy. 54 E at 64th St. N, Wisconsin Rapids.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.