Richard W. "Dick" Joos

Richard William "Dick" Joos of Hopkins, MN passed away on October 13th, 2025 at the age of 91.
A humble man throughout his entire life, Dick downplayed the significance of his many accomplishments and insisted that his obituary be kept simple. We'll try our best! But it's worth noting that, as a gift to his family, he wrote a detailed memoir of his and our lives together. Written initially in 2000, and regularly maintained thereafter, it contains one installment for every year from 1952 onward. In fact, he distributed his 2024 synopsis – the 72nd installment! – just a few days ago unaware that he would soon be entering hospice care. The memoir now stands at over 140 pages and served as inspiration for many of the details contained herein. Most installments end with "God Bless, Love Dad".
Dick was born in Cologne, MN on September 22nd, 1934 to Richard and Irene (Hoen) Joos. He attended grade school at St Bernards in Cologne and then attended Central High School in Norwood-Young America where he participated in football and track and served as sports editor for the school's newspaper.
After graduating in 1952, he attended St Thomas College, earning a B.S. in Chemistry in 1958. During this time he also played for and managed the Cologne Hollanders – his hometown's baseball team. He continued his studies at the University of Minnesota and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1964.
In 1960 he married Joan Buesgens, a hometown girl he had known since grade school, and they started a family which quickly grew to include 4 children within the next 5 years. Times were lean during the college years and they often spent every penny that they earned. Their situation improved in 1963 when Dick began a job working in the Medical Research Program at the Minneapolis Veteran's Administration Hospital. In 1967 he joined 3M's fledgling Dental Products Division where he would remain for the rest of his career. The teams he worked on were instrumental in making major advances in the field of dentistry.
Early on they spent many years living in student housing or renting homes in South Minneapolis and eventually bought their first home near Lake Nokomis where many happy years were spent. And then, in 1973, with a desire to return to their rural roots, they moved to Eagan – which had only recently been incorporated as a village during the prior year. The house was surrounded by woods and farm fields. It had little resemblance to the city of Eagan as we see it now. They would live in that house and then another in Eagan for the next 38 years before opting for senior living at The Glenn Hopkins in 2011, where they made many new, cherished friendships and would spend their remaining years.
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1973, Dick never let his condition prevent him from living life to the fullest. Over the next 52 years, the condition slowly consumed his physical abilities but it never affected his sharp mind. He remained intellectually curious and engaged to the very end – analyzing current events, debating ideas, and always seeking practical improvements to everyday life. He held strong convictions but was always open to respectful conversations with others, no matter their viewpoint.
Dick's Catholic faith was the guiding force throughout his entire life. He proposed to Joan while kneeling together in the chapel at St. Thomas. They made life-long friends from their prayer groups formed in Minneapolis, Eagan, and Hopkins. Dick and Joan were founding members of St. John Neumann in Eagan. Dick was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a founder of Council #7604 in Eagan. His first act in retirement was to write and distribute a 186 page book titled "Features for Marketing Heaven". The goal of attaining Heaven was Dick's most fervent hope for himself and for all of us. They moved to The Glenn because it offered daily Catholic mass. He wanted it known to all that his favorite charity is EWTN – The Eternal Word Television Network – which is dedicated to Catholic programming and media. Over the past 15 years his TV has rarely strayed from that channel.
Preceded in death by his parents and stepfather Carl Fritz, and by Joan – his beloved wife of 59 years – who passed away in 2019.
Dick is survived by his four children: Teri Joos (Mike Strutton), Judy (Dave) Saumweber, Rick (Karol) Joos and Tim Joos (Patty Oakes) – seven grandchildren: Nick (Arthur) Saumweber, Seyha (Colleen) Saumweber, and RJ, Will, Michael, Anna and Ashlynn Joos – three great-grandchildren Sati, Odie, and Anjeze Saumweber. Siblings: Bob (Bernie) Joos, Kitty Hanson. Sister-in-law Elaine Buesgens. And many, many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Rd, Eagan, MN. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM followed by Mass at 10:00 AM. A luncheon will follow.
We love you Dad!
God Bless!