Reverend Wichlei

The Reverend Richard Wichlei died peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning, December 3. He was closely attended by family and friends who kept a loving vigil during his final days. He follows his wife of 65 years, Marjorie, who died in December of 2009.
Richard was born on March 10, 1916 in Binghamton, NY, to John and Esther Wichlei. Upon graduating from Syracuse University, he attended the World Conference of Christian Youth in the Netherlands. It was at this conference that he became inspired to pursue what became his life's calling.
He attended Union Theological Seminary where, in 1939, he joined with seven other seminarians in refusing conscription, consistent with their pacifist convictions. Together this group, known as the Union Eight, served a year in federal prison where they continued their vigorous pursuit of social justice by forcing changes in the racially segregated prison environment. He completed his studies at Chicago Theological Seminary from which he received his M.Div. in 1945, and where he met and married the former Marjorie Dausses of Chicago. He served Congregational churches in Hillsboro and Two Rivers, Wisconsin. In 1958, he and his family moved to Madison where Richard became the Assistant Superintendent of the Wisconsin Congregational Conference. When the denomination became the United Church of Christ, he was elected Minister of the Southwest Wisconsin Association, the position he held until his retirement in 1981. After retirement, Richard served as a chaplain at both the VA Hospital and the University of Wisconsin Hospital until 1997. During this time, he and Marjorie engaged in many Elderhostel programs around the world.
Richard is survived by his son Alan, daughter-in-law Janice, and granddaughter Sara, of Lexington, MA, and his daughter Jean of Madison, WI.
Loving husband, father, and grandfather, caring minister, and good friend he will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2011 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1609 University Avenue, Madison with the Rev. Curt Anderson officiating.