Richard C. "Rich" Althaus

Richard “Rich” Althaus, 72, of La Crescent, passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2025. Born in Evanston, IL, on April 21, 1953, to Robert and Mary (Hodgins) Althaus, Rich grew up with a deep appreciation for history, a passion that would stay with him throughout his life.

After graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Kenosha, WI, Rich moved to the La Crosse area to pursue a degree in history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His love for the region’s Native American history shaped much of his personal and professional life. Rich spent much of his career at Fastenal, where he took immense pride in serving his loyal customers and building lasting relationships.

Outside of work, Rich was an avid collector of arrowheads and historical Native American artifacts. His dedication to this hobby was evident in the impressive collection he amassed over the years. He also had an unyielding passion for sports, particularly his beloved Cubs, Fighting Irish, and Chicago Bears. No matter the season’s outcome, Rich was always ready for a spirited conversation about his teams.

Music was another of Rich’s great passions. Whether discussing the intricacies of a Moody Blues album, the genius of Mark Knopfler, or the timeless work of Warren Zevon, Rich was a true aficionado. He was especially eager to share his knowledge about those deep cuts in his favorite albums that most people didn’t know about.

After retiring, Rich spent his time doing what he loved most - spending quality moments with his wife, Susan, and their two dogs, Brady and Mickey, while continuing to indulge his passion for collecting arrowheads and gems.

Rich was preceded in death by his father Robert, mother Mary, brother Tom and sister Mary. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his two sons, Nick and Tim, as well as his beloved dogs, Brady and Mickey – as well his brothers Jim, Bill, Tim and his sister Annie. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to join us in celebrating Rich’s life.