Richard Stecklein 1936-2012

STECKLEIN, WAGNER, SAEFKOW, KOWALL, SCHMIDT, BETTCHER, BRADLEY

Posted By: Judy Nicks (email)
Date: 9/24/2012 at 22:20:45

Richard (Rich) Stecklein

Richard (Rich) Stecklein, 76, of 2217 St. John Drive, Dubuque, passed away at 4:10 a.m. on Saturday September 1, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.

Friends may call from 3pm to 8pm on Wednesday September 5th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd. Private family services and entombment will be on Thursday at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Rev. Gary Mayer officiating and military detail accorded by American Legion Post #6.

Richard Nicholas Stecklein was born on February 5, 1936, in Dubuque, son of Harold and Eleanor (Wagner) Stecklein. He graduated from the Loras Academy in Dubuque.

He married (Mary) Barbara Saefkow on October 29, 1960 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, Dubuque.

Rich enlisted in the Army in 1957 until 1959 at Fort Benning, Georgia. He began bartending in 1959 at Riverside Bowl. He also bartended at various supper clubs such as Spielman's, the Chateau, and also at Country Heights for 25 years. He worked at the Dubuque Pack from 1963 to 1977 and owned the White House Bar from 1961 to 1976 where he sponsored numerous sports teams. Rich then worked at Wahlert High School from 1979 to 1984 as the well-known supervised study monitor, and at Loras College as Equipment Room Manager/Weight Room Supervisor from 1984 until his retirement in 2003. On October 9, 2010 Loras College dedicated its new Athletic Equipment Room in honor of Rich.

After his retirement, Rich volunteered many hours at Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and also served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the TriState Garden Club. Rich also took great pride in his own yard where he grew and cared for over 100 rose bushes. He very much enjoyed chatting with passers-by who would comment on his beautiful yard. Rich was a die-hard Cleveland Indians and GreenBay Packers fan, and would attend Cleveland Indians games every chance he got. He was inducted into the Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Barb; four sons, Russ (Tracey) Stecklein of Dubuque, Rodney (Kathy) Stecklein of Oswego, Illinois, Rick (Peggy) Stecklein of Dubuque, and Randy Stecklein, of Springfield, Missouri; two daughters, Robyn Stecklein of Naperville, Illinois, and Rhonda (James) Kowall of Oswego, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Jordan, Shelby, Michael, Olivia, and Spencer Stecklein; J.R. and Jackie Kowall; and Eric and Kyle Dusseault. Sisters-in-law, Janet Stecklein, Carol (Tom) Schmidt, and Judy Bettcher, all of Dubuque; Deb Stecklein of Tallahassee, Florida and Patricia (Tom) Bradley of Green Valley, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a beloved son, Rhett Stecklein; two brothers, Ken and Jerry Stecklein; and a niece, Kelly Stecklein.

In lieu of flowers, a Richard Stecklein Memorial Fund has been established.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque and Dr. Andrea Ries for all their wonderful care and kindness they gave to Rich.

Send online condolences: Leonard Funeral Home