Robert "Rick" Bolin

1934 - 2025

Robert "Rick" Bolin

September 26, 1934 - December 8, 2025

Robert "Rick" Royal Bolin, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Menomonie, WI after a life full of love, humor and family. He loved to share stories from his life, drop sarcastic one-liners, and regularly used "Rick-isms".

He was born to Royal and Hazel (Sundquist) Bolin on September 26, 1934 in Ashland, WI and grew up in Washburn, WI. He graduated from Washburn High School, where he starred in football, basketball, and baseball, and played the trumpet in the band. One of his oft-told stories was of the tragic high school fire in February of 1947, when he and his dad braved the burning school to rescue musical instruments.

He attended UW-Madison for his undergraduate degree in Business Education, Master's degree in Adult Education and doctoral work in Adult & Continuing Education, and would later work there in financial aid. These experiences established his lifelong tie to Madison and the UW system.

His career took him across Wisconsin and the country. He had early stops in Ellsworth, Beloit, and Oshkosh, before an adventure into the mountains. Rick worked at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he oversaw the continuing education program at five different campuses. His next stop was North Lake College outside of Dallas, Texas, where he helped to open the college and build the Continuing Education program from scratch. Rick made a quick stop at Western Carolina University prior to making his last career move to UW-Stout in 1988. He was the Associate Director of Continuing Education from January 1988 until his retirement in 2000. In this position, he was a strong advocate for distance learning and team building, and was known for his forward thinking. He retired in 2000 and lived in Menomonie thereafter.

At North Lake, he met Mitzi Porter, and the two married in 1979. This union led to the title he cherished most: Dad. Rick and Mitzi had three children: Ryan, Evan, and Amy, and his family was the center of his life. Rick instilled his kindness, a strong moral compass, and character into his children and grandchildren.

As a devoted father, Rick was known for stories at bedtime that typically ended prematurely due to snoring, bringing "Boge the tickle monster" to life, eating popcorn while watching the Packer and Badger football games, and playing catch. Rick let his kids know how loved and supported they were "more times than you can shake a stick at." You'd see him in the audience at every one of his children's concerts, recitals and athletic competitions. Despite wearing glasses, Rick had great vision - he saw every foul that wasn't called and was vocal in letting the referees know about it. He was the only member of the Bolin family to get a red card at a soccer game, even though he was not on the field. "How 'bout that, sports fans?"

After retirement, Rick generally read three newspapers per day and did crossword puzzles while looking like "Claude Cool" in his Badger apparel. He collected and read enough books to fill several large bookcases and enjoyed lending them out to friends and family. He loved perusing the car lots for "golden oldies" that usually ended up being Toyota Camrys (he owned four in his lifetime).

Rick always looked out for his family, making sure they had everything they needed. As his children grew, he was known for sending them letters that included cut-out articles he wanted them to see (whether his kids were interested or not). He always had his eye out for their next new vehicle and made many friends at the local car dealerships. Rick also shared his love and enthusiasm for UW-Madison and Badger sports by taking his family to UW football games.

Traveling with his family was a big part of Rick's life - family camping trips (Washburn, Michigan, Colorado, to name a few), long winter visits to Florida with Mitzi, and vacations to Nova Scotia, Ontario, and northern Minnesota. No matter where he went, Rick always found the best ice cream shops!

Rick loved watching both of his grandchildren's soccer games, Emmett's flag football games, and Lynley's dance performances. Lynley and Emmett always loved snuggling with Grandpa on his chair while reading a book or having a bowl of ice cream. And they all savored trips to Culver's for custard. Rick's wonderful imagination allowed him to connect deeply through play with his grandchildren, sharing silly puppets, making them giggle, and encouraging their own creativity and imagination.

Rick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mitzi; two sons, Ryan (Christina) of San Marcos, CA, and Evan of Madison, WI; his daughter, Amy (Josh) Fiege of Prescott, WI; and his grandchildren, Emmett and Lynley Fiege.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Royal and Hazel, and his parents-in-law, Franklin and Mary Porter.

Rick's family plans to hold a Celebration of Life when the weather is warmer.

The Bolins would like to thank Carla Berscheit (ADRC), the caring staff of Our House Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, National Park Foundation or your favorite charity. Please express condolences and share memories online at www.olsonfuneral.com.