Richard Faust

Madison - Dick Faust was born on June 26, 1951 in Sumner, Iowa to Bob and Dorothy Faust. He explored several majors during his (many) undergraduate years, spanning the arts and sciences, while also working for a university newspaper and participating in anti-war activism. He ultimately graduated from Upper Iowa University with degrees in chemistry and biology.

He married Dinah Morgan in 1971, and they had three children, Zach, Alex, and Abby. He completed the Physician Assistant program at the University of Iowa in 1980, and they moved to Mauston, Wi in 1985 to raise their family.

Dick loved his career and practiced as a Physician Assistant for 33 years. In addition to serving countless patients in the Mauston community, he took on leadership roles in state and national PA associations and mentored dozens of young PAs. His advocacy efforts and quiet, determined leadership led to the passage of multiple pieces of legislation that improved the PA profession for his peers, and he was named the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants’ PA of the Year in 1997.

Dick lived life with an "if you’re bored, you’re boring" mentality, nurturing old hobbies and picking up new ones well into retirement.

He was wonderfully creative and loved art, photography, writing, and woodwork. Family and friends got a glimpse into his creative side each year when they received the famous Faust Family Christmas Poem. Dick and Dinah’s home in Madison is peppered with beautiful wooden bowls he turned by hand.

He loved the outdoors, and could identify almost any midwestern plant or bird. He golfed poorly for about four decades, solidifying many friendships on the golf course. He developed a taste for Wisconsin ambers and California pinots, which he enjoyed most when paired with blues music. Spending time with his adult children brought him great joy, and his greatest pleasure in life was traveling with Dinah.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy, his father, Bob, and his brother, John. He was survived by his wife of 49 years, Dinah, his three children, Zach, Alex, and Abby, his brothers, Ken and Joe, his grandson, Xander, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

During Dick’s battle with melanoma, he heard from so many friends and colleagues from over the years whose memories and anecdotes presented many common themes. He will be remembered as a mentor, instiller of confidence, truth teller, free thinker, loyal friend, listening ear, and a bit of a sarcastic ass.

He was a one of a kind, and we will miss him greatly.

Due to COVID-19, we will not be holding a memorial service at this time. We plan to hold a celebration of Dick’s life when it is safe to do so, and details will be shared via Dick and Dinah’s Facebook accounts.

In lieu of flowers, Dick requested that donations be made to Second Harvest Foodbank, the Dane County Humane Society, or the Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666