Richard M. Greene

1934 - 2025

Richard M. Greene

July 23, 1934 - August 18, 2025

Richard Marshall "Dick" Greene passed away on Monday, August 18th after one last visit from family. He was under the care of Heatherwood Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice.

Dick was the ninth child born to Gunda and Marshall Strum on July 23, 1934. When he was a year old, his mother died and he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Mabel and Edward Greene. He grew up with sisters and brothers living nearby, which was fortunate for all concerned.

He lived near McDonough playground in his youth where sports of every description were played. Tennis and basketball were his favorites. He attended grade school at Tenth Ward (now Longfellow), Eau Claire Junior High, and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1952. He played varsity basketball for two years and tennis for three years. He next enrolled at Wisconsin State College in Eau Claire and was always proud that he was in the starting lineup alongside his childhood idol Stan DuFrane in the first game played in Zorn Arena against the University of Chicago.

Following service in the army in Germany in 1956, he resumed studies at the local college and was extremely fortunate to meet his lifetime partner Judy Laycock. They were married on July 27, 1957 and spent the next 60 years together. They were very blessed to parent three sons, Mike, Tim and Eric. Dick readily admitted that Judy was mostly responsible for their upbringing.

Following graduation from college, Dick went to work at the UniRoyal Tire Plant in 1964 and was Industrial Relation Manager when he resigned in 1976 to commence a new career at Luther Hospital where he remained until retiring in 1996.

Playing golf with Bob Yule and the guys, attending Badgers football games with Ron Buckli, attending the winter Olympics in Cortina Italy, and three Ryder Cup matches in Ohio in with Judy and family, and in Spain and Great Britain with son Mike and his buddies all provided treasured memories.

Dick served on the RCU Board of Directors for 20 years and on the Boards of the YMCA, Grace Foundation, UW-Wisconsin Foundation and was Community Campaign Chair for the United Way in 1975 and later was chairman of their board.

Dick and Judy spent considerable time in Florida during winters, visiting family and friends. They also traveled to many destinations throughout the country for Luther Hospital and RCU for meetings and conferences.

Dick leaves behind sons Michael (Carin) Greene of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Timothy (Bev Olson) of Altoona, Eric of Edina, Minnesota, grandsons Sam and Alex Greene of Edina, step-granddaughter, Brittany (Philip) Kim and step great-grandson Elliot and step-great granddaughter Esther of Winnetka Illinois, sisters and brothers in law Alan and Connie Floyd and Linda Laycock of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy, adopted parents, Mabel and Edward Greene, birth parents Gunda and Marshall Strum, sisters Delores Anderson, Betty Watson, Jeanne Rishovd, Beverly Moe, Marilyn Storrs, brothers Jim, Pat and Marshall Strum, granddaughter and grandson, Kersten and Tyler Greene.

In lieu of flowers, the family will direct donations to the Lutheran Cemetery Association, 1536 Altoona Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on September 5, at the Lenmark-Gomsrud- Linn funeral home (814 First Avenue) in Eau Claire. A private funeral service will be held after the visitation with Pastor Philip Ruge-Jones officiating.