Dustin Reichwald

Richard (Dick) Yasko, 88 years old, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at his home.

Dick grew up in Racine and graduated from Park High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, served as a medical corpsman in the 3rd Marine Division, and spent an additional four years of inactive duty at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Following his military service he began an academic career with a B.A. from Dominican College, a Fulbright to study at Tokyo University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1973. In 1976 he moved with his wife Caryl and their four children to Whitewater, where he joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater as a Professor of History. A vibrant and passionate professor who challenged his students, he taught history and philosophy courses until his retirement in 2005. He earned the David Saunders Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Humanities in 1993, and the College of Letters and Science Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994.

Dick is survived by his wife Caryl; sons Guy Yasko (Lauren Tepper) and Nikolai Yasko (Kumiko), and daughter Mila Yasko (John Wedge). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Chieri Yasko, Vaclav Wedge, Ludovic Wedge, Ransom Yasko, Kai Yasko, Nadia Wedge, and Noe Yasko, many nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his mother Cecille, father James; two brothers, Guy and Daniel; and his son Jim.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, June 29 at the Cravath Lake Community Center, 341 S. Fremont Street, Whitewater, from 3-7 p.m.. To leave an online condolence please visit www.olsen-gibson.com

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at First English Lutheran Church at 2 PM on Saturday June 15^th, with a visitation from 1-2 PM.

John was born on May 23^rd, 1958, in Richfield Minnesota, as the youngest of three siblings. Growing up he was known for being the quintessential helper, a trait that earned him the moniker “Doctor John” even at a young age. John would go on to earn his B.A. in Communication from Gustavus Adolphus College, and would go on to earn his M.A. and PhD in Speech Communication from the University of Minnesota.

He married his wife, Sandra, in June of 1988, which marked the beginning of a close and happy marriage that would last more than 30 years. The same open-heartedness and boundless supportiveness that made him a favorite of his many students as a Professor of Rhetoric at UW-Whitewater, also endeared him to his many close friends, and most of all to his wife with whom he would share an uncommonly loving marriage.

His joie du vivre for his life in Whitewater was reflected in his many hobbies and interests he would share with those around him. He was a lifelong fan of tennis, golf, and biking, activities he would go on to share for decades with his family. The peals of laughter from the family’s backyard patio would signal the deep and unique humor he could bring to even the most casual of gatherings.

His son, Ian, would be born in 1993, as another fortunate person who would share an indelibly close bond with John and his worldview. Ever the patient and supportive father, John inspired a lifelong curiosity and love of learning in his son, with whom he would read to every night and make breakfast for every morning. More than just a dedicated father and husband, he was a close friend and emotional anchor for the Stone family, where he made an often uncertain and intimidating world feel intriguing, embracive, and hopeful. His absence will be long felt, as will the influence of his unique mind and quick wit on those who were closest to him.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and his son, Ian, as well as his older sisters Leslee Lund and Lynn Holt.

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. www.nitardyfuneralhome.com 

Loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.

We want to honor Pat and all that he brought into our lives by sharing memories and showing our gratitude for the friendship, love and dedication he so freely shared with everyone he knew. He will truly be missed. 

Celebration to be held July 13, 2019 at the Starin Park Community Building in Whitewater, WI from 4:30pm  – 8:00pm.

He married Irene L. Sherman on November 20^th 1954 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Whitewater.

He worked hauling milk in the Whitewater area for Hugh Miller.  He then worked as a textile worker for Borg Fabric in Jefferson for 33 years before retiring.

Farming was his hobby, helping his father, then his son and grandsons on the family farm.  He then moved to the Athens area to be near his family on the farm there.

He is survived by his son Steven (Barbara) and grandsons Joshua (Gwendolen) and Dustin.  He was preceded in death by his wife Irene, daughter Janet, and brother Roger.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 10, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church,116 S Church St, Whitewater, WI 53190. There will be a lunch right after the service, with a burial to follow at Cold Spring Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, June 9, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190 and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

The Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.