Richard D. Heath

Richard D. Heath, 67, of La Crosse, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at the Lakeview Health Center in West Salem.
He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., on June 30, 1947, to Chester and Elizabeth (Smith) Heath. He grew up and worked on the family farm in rural Osseo, Wis., for many years until moving to La Crosse, where he worked as a custodian for 15 years at U.W.-La Crosse until health concerns forced him to retire.

Rich was an avid collector or Ertl die cast tractors, especially John Deere. He was also an accomplished painter, working with oils in particular.

Rich married Kristi Behlke on August 25, 1989 in La Crosse.

He is survived by his wife, Kristi; his children, Timothy, Michael and Daniel Heath, all of La Crosse, Ben (Stacy) Heath of Eau Claire, Scott Heath of Chippewa Falls, and Kristine Wright of Ladysmith, who lost her battle to cancer just hours after Rich died; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Archie (Lorna) Heath of Augusta, Wis.; sisters, Myrna (Tom) Bresina of Altoona, Wis., and Brenda (Jerry) Sommerfeldt of Fall Creek, Wis.; and nieces and nephews. Rich was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jenny and Sandy; and a great grandson, Connor.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 14th, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, located at 200 West Ave. So. Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Special thanks to the staff at Lakeview Health Care, the hospice nurses and staff at Gundersen Heath System, and to Jade Butler and Mary Tabbert for their wonderful care.