Richard P. Horan

Richard, “Dick,” Horan, age76, passed away peacefully at home August 15, 2021 surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer.

Dick was born on Feburary 9, 1945 in Chicago, IL to Dorothy Duncan and Michael Aloysious Horan.  He was raised in DeKalb, IL where he attended St. Mary’s Elementary and DeKalb High.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from UW-Platteville in 1967.  He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University.

He proudly served his country as a US Army Food Inspection Specialist (SP5) during the Viet Nam Conflict in Eau Claire, WI, Bangkok, Thailand and Fort Gordon, Georgia, and he received the Army Commendation Medal.

He married the love of his life, Carol Emily Sylvester, on July 20, 1968 in Middleton.

Dick was employed for 25 years as a production foreman at Hormel Foods in Tucker, GA, Austin and St. James, MN. In 1996, he created his own company, Assurance Inspection Services, a home and environmental inspection business.  He also was a trainer at Milwaukee Lead and Asbestos Information Center.  Dick was a Lifetime Member of Middleton VFW Post 8216, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus at St Bernard Parish, where he was a longtime member.

Dick was extremely proud of his Irish heritage, choosing Ireland as his first European destination.  Because he loved to travel, he and Carol visited all but three US states, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and several European countries.  He loved the outdoors, especially being near lake and ocean waters.  He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening in the summer, snow shoeing, and skiing in the winter.  The grandkids still talk about fishing with Grampa.  Taking rides in his little red convertible highlighted many warm afternoons. He loved to cook and host large family gatherings.  He enjoyed sports and cheered on the Wisconsin Badgers, the Milwaukee Brewers and was a Green Bay Packer fan and shareholder.

Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol; his children, Brian (Shasta) Horan, Lynne (John) Chomicz, and Jonathan (Becca Draeger) Horan; grandchildren Tristan and Logan Horan, Emilia and Alice Chomicz, and Ellie Higbie; his mother-in-law, Edith Sylvester, sisters in law, Judy Horan, Jan Ahlquist, Janet Sylvester, and Sue Stanecki; brothers-in-law, Michael Stanecki and Mark Sylvester.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Dorothy Horan, his brother, Mickey Horan, his sister, Dottie Ferguson, and an infant daughter, Laurie Catherine Horan.  A visitation will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton, followed by a Funeral  Mass at 10:30 am with Fr. Brian Wilk presiding.  Burial will follow at St. Bernard cemetery.  The family would like to acknowledge the extraordinary care provided by doctors and nurses at Meriter hospital, and Agrace HospiceCare.  In lieu of flowers, Dick’s family invites you to raise a glass of fine Irish whiskey in celebration of our beloved husband, Dad, Grampa and friend. If you prefer a more traditional remembrance, memorials in Dick’s name to gofundme.com/f/RPHMemorial, Agrace HospiceCare, St Judes Research Hospital or VFW Post 8216, Middleton are suggested.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

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