Richard E. "Dick" Fry

1949 - 2025

Janesville/Milton, WI - Richard Ervin Fry, age 76, passed away at home on November 27, 2025. He was born on September 3, 1949, in Edgerton, WI, the son of Ervin and Beverly Fry. He attended Milton High School and graduated in 1967.

Dick proudly enlisted in the US Army in May 1969 and was medically retired as a sergeant in July 1971 after being combat wounded on May 24, 1970 in Cambodia. In his time in Vietnam and Cambodia Dick earned a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Army Commendation with V device and Oak Leaf cluster. On October 13, 2005 he married Phyllis Schmidt. Together they created what they affectionally call their family shrub. Over the years he owned several restaurants, co-owned Ervin Fry & Sons Excavating and in 2010 retired from Frank Bros Inc. as a supervisor/estimator. Dick was a past Commander of American legion Post 367, and a lifetime member of VFW post 1879, the DAV and the VVA. He held positions on Veterans Advisory Boards for Rock County, and Congressmen Ryan and Steil. He was also a charter member of the Milton Lions Club. Dick will be especially remembered for his work at the Milton Area Veterans Memorial Park where he turned a vision into reality. For this labor of love, he received a City of Milton Community Award, a Wisconsin State Assembly Hometown Hero Award and a National Veteran Volunteer of the Year from the DAR.

Dick is survived by his wife Phyllis, children; Tiffany White, Shannon (Matt) Juckett, John (Hilary) Fry, Tracey (Lee) Morehart, Ashley (Dan) Nelson and Delaney Blabaum. His Mother Beverly, brother Bill (Becky) Fry, sisters Gladys (Dave) Watson and Bonnie Murphy, brothers-in-law Wayne Ristau, Jeff (Sue) Schmidt, sisters-in-law Donine (David Duey) Schmidt, Mary (Jim) Dehnert and Toni Schmidt along with 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Ervin, wife Jeanet, sister Colleen Ristau, brother-in-law Bob Murphy and son-in-law Greg White.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday December 4, 2025 at the Albrecht Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Milton. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from 4pm-6pm at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton and again Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10:00am until time of service at the funeral home. Military Honors will follow at Milton Junction Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be set up to care for the Milton Area Veterans Memorial Park.

A Special "Thank You" goes to Amy and Cassandra at Mercy Health at Home and Ashly, Kathleen and Kate from Home Instead. Dick was larger than life and never did anything small. The void in our lives is beyond measure.

Online condolences may be made at www.albrechtfuneralhomes.com . The Albrech Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family with arrangements.