Richard S. Oldroyd Obituary

Richard S. Oldroyd

Richard (Dick) S. Oldroyd-A Great Husband, Father, and Grandfather, age 76, previously of Turtle Lake, and Durand, recently moved to Eau Claire, passed away on February 13, 2009 while battling cancer.
		Richard was born December 10, 1932 to Harold and Margaret Oldroyd in Montclair, New Jersey. He graduated from Thorp High School in 1952 and received his B.S. degree from the Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire in 1957, majoring in Biology with a Chemistry and History minor. He received his Master of Science degree from Wesleyan University in Illinois in 1964. Richard started teaching at Greenwood High School and then at Clear Lake and St. Mary's Catholic School in Durand. He married the love of his life, Mary Cassavant, in August of 1962 in Amery. He managed the Shuttle Research & Lab in Somerset before moving on to Sergeant Welch Biological Center in Turtle Lake. Prior to retirement, he worked for Waste Research in Eau Claire as a lab technician for 15 years.


Richard had a passion for flower and vegetable gardening, reading, rock collecting, bird watching, pet fish, and cats. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Turtle Lake village board member. Richard and his wife, Mary, had a bond that didn't need words to express the love and respect they shared for each other. His oldest son, Mark, remembers him as a peaceful man who had a respect for others and their opinions. His son, Richie, loved his dad's imagination and abilities to dream. His daughter, Margaret, loved his sense of humor and remembers him as a man's man who never had to prove it. Richard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary. They have two sons: Command Sgt. Major Mark (Karen) Oldroyd of Castorland, NY, and Richie (Amy) Oldroyd of Chippewa Falls; and a daughter, Margaret (Craig) Dilts of Menomonie; four special granddaughters: Tessa and Taylor Oldroyd, and Jessica and Jacklyn Oldroyd; and one brother, Harold Oldroyd, Jr. of Freehold, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bill and Lou Oldroyd. A celebration of Richard's life will be held with an open fellowship from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 at the Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home in Eau Claire for family and friends. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.