Richard A. Farrenkopf

On Monday morning, March 16, 2026 our father Richard A. Farrenkopf, 90, joined his “kittens” and our mother, Catherine, in eternity.

Born in Ohio, dad moved at an early age to Rhinelander, where his family ran a small resort on a peninsula along the Wisconsin River. Seemingly never without his fishing rod, dad additionally focused his intellect and wit on academics, debate and forensics eventually leading him to leave the Northwoods for the excitement of the University of Wisconsin. Using his handsomeness, skills from debate and many poetic sonnets he persuaded our mom to wed.

He began employment with the Village of Menomonee Falls in 1960 moving our growing family to a cute little house with 3 acres where dad could put his energies into his second love after fishing, his garden. Dad ventured out every evening to tend it, as much as a respite from the stress of his job as a love for connection with the earth. Even after their move into town dad continued to maintain a small patch of his favorites-tomatoes and green onions.

Dad was much more a people person than a calculator. Although he started in the engineering department, he quickly rose to assistant village manager and in 1984 became village manager overseeing the growth of the community of nearly 30,000 residents. He was recognized with the Wisconsin City/County Management Association’s 2005 Meritorious Service Award and with his very own plaza dedicated at the village hall in 2007 honoring his 47 years of service. His leadership and gregarious personality led him to engage in a variety of civic organizations, many well after his retirement.

A co-conspirator with our mom and their many enduring and loyal friends, they threw elaborate theme parties where he relished his many characters including as an 1890’s preacher and as sheriff, Bufford Pusser. Even after his move into assisted living, he gathered monthly for lunch with his ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

We will remember dad as never missing an opportunity to energetically engage with us in a spirited wrestling match, snow drift tunneling, basketball game with his towering hook shot, camping - camping - camping, and as subjects to his playful teasing. He loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting with Eric and Kurt well into his 80s, canoeing with Karrin just two years ago and passing on the art of the cast to his grandchildren with many outings to the mill pond or out on the pontoon. We will cherish dad as a supportive and loving father, no matter our endeavor or indiscretion, who was always available to provide advice and counsel but rarely a lecture.

When he retired, he and mom spent most summers back in his beloved neighborhood at their vacation home on that peninsula in Rhinelander enjoying evenings overlooking Boom Lake, meandering up the river on sunset cruises through the rice patties, and trying to score that elusive musky!

Though his great grandchildren were born as he became ill, their uninhibited visits brought out his humor and joy until the very end. He was dignified in life and graceful in illness.

Our mother, Catherine A. Farrenkopf (Fox) passed October 16, 2022. Dad is survived by his four children Eric (Irene) Farrenkopf, Kurt (Ann) Farrenkopf, Kristin (Dennis) Galatowitsch, Karrin Farrenkopf and his grandchildren Nicole (Casey) Cummins, Steven (Holly) Farrenkopf, Tia Farrenkopf, Katie (Jacob) Madsen, Daniel (Jaimie) Farrenkopf, Alex Galatowitsch and Sidney Galatowitsch, his great-grandchildren Ruby, Paige, Annie, Ruth, Elizabeth, Frances and Julian, and his sister Linda Johnson.

Thank you to Dickson Hollow and Brighton Hospice for the loving care they provided to our father.

Please join our family in a remembrance of his life on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at noon at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, N84 W17937 Menomonee Avenue, Menomonee Falls.

Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to The Friends of the Trout Unlimited-Wisconsin Council Fund and the Alzheimer’s Association Organization.