Richard "Dick" Massuch

Richard ‘Dick’ Carl Massuch, 92, of Watertown, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2018 at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dick was born on May 13th, 1926 to Carl ‘Si’ and Genevieve (Scarborough) Massuch in Lansing, Michigan. When Dick was young, he dreamed of going to Michigan State University, a dream realized when he was accepted as a three sport athlete to study physical education, health and recreation.  Early in his studies, he entered the United States Navy and served through the end of World War II. Dick returned to earn his degree at Michigan State, lettering in both baseball and football and playing basketball. Dick played two years of minor league baseball as a first baseman within the Brooklyn Dodgers organization before returning to Michigan State as an assistant baseball coach.  At the age of 35, Dick developed a passion for golf, which he fondly considered his “lifelong sport.” By the 1980s, Dick earned recognition as a skilled amateur golfer in the Twin Cities, placing in several Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) Senior Championships, MGA Four-Ball (Best-Ball) Championships, and a USGA Senior Open.

Dick carried a love for athletics throughout his life and was committed to sharing the values he learned with others: the importance of teamwork, striving for excellence, persevering through adversity, serving the community, and acting with integrity. Dick actively coached throughout his life, primarily golf and baseball, plus any sports that his children played.  Most recently, Dick was a dedicated coach to the Watertown High School boys and girls JV golf teams, serving in this role for 16 years.

Dick worked in sales and traveled the country for over 40 years. He often took his family on these adventures, and his girls have fond memories of exploring the country in a Cadillac DeVille while singing, reading books and playing games. After his retirement, Dick embraced his wife’s love of gardening, helping her transform their yards into flowering and fruit-bearing retreats.  Dick supported all the interests of his family - listening to hours of music practice, attending games and meets, participating in church activities, attending art openings, reading to his grandsons, and most importantly, sharing his love for golf.

He is survived by his wife Jolene; daughters Roberta Massuch, Sarah Jane Massuch (Glen Hansen), and Merritt Lee Massuch (Tim Ervin); son Richard ‘Rick’ Massuch; grandsons Leif, Caleb and Alexander; nephew Michael (Denise) Busley; as well as other beloved family and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother and father, and sister Barbara Busley.

In remembrance, memorial contributions may be directed to the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin Scholarship Fund, 8927 White Coral Way, Middleton, WI 53562, noting Dick’s name on the memo line.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 16, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home, 213 South 5th Street, Watertown, WI. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00PM at the funeral home. Family graveside services will be held in August at the Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, MI.