Richard Michael Marohn

Richard “Rich” Michael Marohn, age 69, of Oshkosh passed away on December 1, 2024, following a brief illness. He was born and raised in Queens, New York, to Edward and Geraldine (Landman) Marohn on September 17, 1955. He attended P.S. 209 and Bayside High School on Uptopia Parkway. A place that held significant meaning to his life where he made lifelong friends and memories that built the foundation of who he was as a person. 

At the age of 25, he joined the United States Army and would proudly serve for the next 20 years. It was during his time in the service that he met the love of his life, Alexandra, while being stationed in Germany with the US Army’s Berlin Brigade in West Berlin. They would go on to live a life full of love, adventure, and travel for the next 31 years until her passing in 2016. While serving in the military SFC Marohn had many different assignments from being a drill sergeant, to being an instructor at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA, to completing Airborne School, and lastly teaching ROTC – Military Science at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. 

Rich was an old soul and a renaissance man, with a passion for music of all kinds- especially the Grateful Dead, he loved attending concerts of all sorts as well as enjoyed going to broadway shows at the PAC. He was a history, economics, and political enthusiast, and he enjoyed taking university classes on a variety of subjects and may have challenged his professors a time or two but all in good fun. He had a sharp eye for the arts – especially for Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Michelangelo paintings. He was one to appreciate and connect and find meaning within nature’s beauty. 

Rich, from a young age, embodied integrity and selfless service and put the welfare of others before himself. He believed it was essential to always take care of each other and to be kind, respectful, and supportive to one another no matter who you were. The Golden Rule was not just a saying to him but a way of life. He was a simple man who believed everyone had good in them. He was a generous man and helped others in ways that would make their lives easier. He put his heart into everything he did. Rich believed in giving back to his community and made continuous donations year-round to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society as well as the Oshkosh Food Pantry. 

Rich is survived by his daughter Justine Martin and son-n-law, Matthew Martin, his dog Max, sister Cathy Noviello, brother Bruce “Tommy” Marohn, and best friend and brother Harvey Krieger. He is preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife Alexandra. 

A funeral service to celebrate Rich’s life will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 2:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 12:00pm until the service begins and remain afterwards to enjoy some of Rich’s favorite sweet treats.

Rich will be buried at Central Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery in King, WI.

In honor of Rich, please wear your favorite tie-dye or band tee shirt. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society or the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry in Rich's name.

In the words of Rich, don’t take life too seriously, no one makes it out alive.