Richard J. "Dick" Patin

Richard "Dick" J. Patin, age 95 of Markesan, WI, died on January 18, 2025. He was born May 22, 1929, in West Allis, WI to Leo and Theresa (Griesemer) Patin. The family lived in West Allis until 1946 when they moved to a farm near Armstrong, a little east of Fond du Lac. For the next 8 years Dick worked the family farm, for a neighboring farmer, and at West Bend Aluminum. In 1954 he entered the army and served at several different bases during his two years of service. After leaving the Army, Dick took advantage of the GI bill and attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he graduated in 1960 with degrees in Agriculture and Finance.
During college Dick started to work for the Federal Land Bank Association and remained with them after graduation. In 1962 he moved to the Fond du Lac office. He loved the rural life and the farmers he worked with. Dick liked to tell people that he started with the company as a janitor while in college, and when he retired in 1985, he was the president and CEO of the Fond du Lac branch.
While working at the bank and then continuing after his retirement, Dick was also active as a real estate broker. He developed several subdivisions including Patin's Hickory Shores on Twin Lakes in Green Lake County, where he resided from 2000 until his passing.
On August 24, 1957, Dick married Andrea Stephany. Together they raised 4 children: Lori (Daniel) Grade, Lisa Patin (Joseph) Arbogast, Daniel (Linda) Patin and Anna (Thomas) Huber. Grandchildren include Alex Grade, Hannah (Matthew) Hubert, Libby (Timothy) Redford, Nora Grade, Georgia Arbogast, Chelsea (Jason) Klotz, Mitchell Patin, Nathan Huber and Andrea Huber. Great grandchildren include Levi and Daphne Klotz, and Ellie, Juliet and Lincoln Hubert.
Andrea passed away in September of 2005.
Dick was fortunate to marry again, to Shirley Polzean Campagna, on April 15, 2007. The blended family includes her sons Michael (Mary) Campagna, and Darin (Brenda) Campagna, and grandchildren Brayden (fiancé Kersten Adams), Merrick, Rory and Kira Campagna. The addition of this wonderful family has enriched all of our lives.
With both Andrea and Shirley, Dick was a world traveler and enjoyed many cultures around the world. Dick loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He felt strongly about protecting wild spaces and supported many organizations that had this as their goal. He was also passionately pro-life and invested both his time and resources in this cause.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife Andrea, his parents Leo and Theresa Patin, brothers Leo and Donald Patin, brothers in law Paul Rosenbaum, Leo Stephany, Dan Schenk, and Gerald Polzean, and sisters in law Ilene Stephany and Ruth Stephany. He is survived by his 4 children, sister Bernadette Rosenbaum, brothers in law John (Jack) Stephany, Karl Stephany, Pete Meyer and sisters in law Margaret Meyer, Sharon Schenk, Mary Polzean and Marlene Patin.
Arrangements: Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM on Saturday January 25, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth Street Way in Fond du Lac. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will follow visitation at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will be at St. Charles Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to make donations to the Fond du Lac chapter of Right to Life, or The Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI.
Online condolences may be offered at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.