Richard Rubasch, Sr.

Richard Rubasch, Sr., 73, of Viroqua, died Wednesday, December 26, 2012. Richard J. Rubasch, Sr., age 73 of rural Viroqua, passed away at the Bethel Home on December 26, 2012. Rich was born at home in Chicago, IL on April 1, 1939. His father, thinking that it was an April Fools joke, had to be persuaded to come home for the delivery! His father nurtured Richs love of gardening as a child. Rich had a garden almost every year of his adult life and passed on this interest and his love for the outdoors to many of his children and grandchildren. His first job was in a machine shop at age 10, sorting nuts, bolts and washers, which foreshadowed his future as a toolmaker. After a brief job as a finishing inspector at Bremen Piano Company, he landed an apprenticeship at ALCOA as a mold maker. He later worked at A1Tool and Die Company, one of the most modern in the country at that time. On a blind date at a Christmas Party he met his future wife, Patricia. Having lost his parents at a young age, they married in June of 1960 and cared for his younger siblings, Tony and Bill. They later added to the family with the addition of their six children. As an avid reader, Rich taught himself many things. He read Hoards Dairyman, Mother Earth News and many books until he was ready to try his hand at farming. He bought a small hobby farm, remodeled the house, acquired a few cows and moved the family to Wisconsin in 1977. With help from his family, good neighbors, and advice from the old-timers, he managed a small Jersey dairy operation until the late 1980s. As the kids left home, he sold the cows and converted the barn into a woodworking business, Wisconsin Wood Products. Woodworking soon came full circle back to machining, when he partnered with his brother, Tony, in his ultrasonic tooling business, Toman Tool Corporation. Rich worked there for many years, until his retirement in 2001. Rich enjoyed reading, gardening, target shooting, woodworking, hiking, camping, boating, fishing and relaxing in the country. He enjoyed trips with his wife, Pat, and watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Cathy (Denny) Lund, of Viroqua, WI; Rich Jr. (Gunilla) Rubasch of Madison, WI; Jim (Cathy) Rubasch of Aiea, HI; Sue Berger of La Crosse, WI; Mary (Robert) Pietan of Decorah, IA and Laura (Bill) Griffin of Wilmette, IL; grandchildren Nina (Andrew) Bradley, David Lund, Emily, Ian and Hanna Rubasch; Ben and Logan Rubasch, Kaitlin Berger, Amanda Rubasch, Madeline, Margaret and Will Griffin; great-grandchildren Matthew and Emma Bradley; brothers Tony (Deb) Rubasch of Stoddard, WI; Bill (MaryJo) Rubasch of Tucson, AZ, and many other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2013 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Viroqua. Father Michael Klos will celebrate the mass with burial in the St. James Cemetery at Risiing Sun. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker Street (Hwy 56) in Viroqua and also at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richs name to your local Humane Society, the Alzheimers Association, or the charity of your choice. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is assisting the family with arrangements.