Richard D. "Dick" McCormick

Richard D. (Dick) McCormick of La Crosse, WI, passed away peacefully at his family home on May 14, 2025. He was proud to have joined the Age 90 Club.

Born on March 3, 1935, in Doylestown, WI, Dick was the son of Hubert P. and Mary T. (Matie Janisch) McCormick. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1953, where he earned varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and football, and also sang in the choir—a well-rounded student with a competitive spirit and a love of music.

Though invited by Ohio State to explore their football program and offered a football scholarship by Marquette University, Dick chose a different path. Following the example of his older brothers, Duane and Claude, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 during the Korean Crisis. He served as a Military Police Officer at Fort Gordon, GA, and Fort Hood, TX, before being honorably discharged in June 1955.

After his military service, Dick earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in 1959 and began a lifelong career dedicated to helping others. He taught at the Waukesha School for Boys and the Kettle Moraine School near Fond du Lac before becoming a Probation and Parole Supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, overseeing a seven-county region.

Dick brought compassion and creativity to his work. While at Kettle Moraine, he formed lasting connections with his students. One unforgettable moment came when he helped a student who couldn’t participate in physical activities due to injuries. The boy was assigned to learn the poem Casey at the Bat. He asked Dick to memorize the poem with him, which Dick gladly did. That shared effort became a lasting family tradition—Dick’s spirited recitations of the poem would become a highlight at family gatherings for years to come.

An avid outdoorsman, Dick found joy in fishing, duck hunting, softball, golf, and skiing. One favorite tale involved a ski trip from bitter cold in Duluth, MN—25 degrees below zero—to balmy Lake Placid, NY, a week later, where it was 80 degrees.

On January 12, 1963, Dick married his college chemistry partner, Sandra Clements, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse. Despite a snowstorm on their wedding day, the celebration was full of joy—a fitting beginning to a marriage rooted in love, partnership, and laughter.

Dick was a kind, loving, and modest man whose greatest joy came from his family. For the past 30 years, the McCormick family gathered for two cherished weeks each summer on Hilton Head Island, SC, resulting in many lasting memories. A 60-year Green Bay Packers season ticket holder, Dick enjoyed sharing the game-day experiences at Lambeau Field with his family. He especially treasured holiday traditions—most of all, the Christmas gatherings that brought the McCormick and Clements families together in La Crosse.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sandra, and their two children: Patti (Paul) Kupinski of Fox Lake, IL, and Michael (Dee Ann DiMucci) McCormick of Jackson, WY. He was a proud grandfather to Katlyn McCormick (Hunt) Marion of Greenville, SC; Alex (Emily) Kupinski of Salem, WI; Gavin McCormick of La Crosse; and Ian Kupinski of Fox Lake, IL. He was especially delighted to welcome his great-granddaughter, Adley Jo Kupinski.

Dick is also survived by his brothers Claude McCormick and Jim (Joan) McCormick, and his sister Mary Pat (Jeff) Quinter; brothers-in-law Dick Clements, Jack (Sandra) Clements, Ron (Tina) Clements, and Dave (Carlynn) Clements; sister-in-law Sue (Dr. Tom) Zurbriggen; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Matie McCormick; his brother Duane McCormick; granddaughter Allison Kupinski; his in-laws LaMont and Josephine Clements; and sisters-in-law Rita McCormick, Marilyn Clements, Jane Clements, and infant Rita Clements, and a nephew, Joe Clements

The family wishes to thank the Gundersen Hospice staff for their kind and exceptional care and services. Also, they would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Tom and Sue Zurbriggen for their assistance, love, and dedication.

Visitation will be held at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse on Sunday May 18, 2025 from 3:00 -5:00 PM as well as at Saint Patrick Catholic Church on Monday, May 19, 2025 from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Onalaska, on Monday May 19, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Memorial donations in honor of Dick may be made to Richard and Sandra McCormick Citizen Diplomacy Fund at the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, Resolve Through Sharing program at the Gundersen Medical Foundation, or The Joe was Just Joe Foundation.

Dick’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and quiet strength. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.