Richard Dudkiewicz

Richard Frank Dudkiewicz, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois, July 6, 1929, to Francis and Marie (Bisek) Dudkiewicz. He grew up in Chicago and attended Holy Innocents Grade School, graduating from Lane Tech High School and attending the University of Illinois at Navy Pier before entering the United States Marine Corp in 1951.
Richard received basic training in San Diego, California and Aircraft Electrician training at the Naval Technical Air Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He served in the First Marine Air Wing, based in Pohang, South Korea during the Korean War, receiving his Honorable discharge from active duty in October of 1953, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Richard enrolled at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where he met his future wife Lillian Eleanore Balazs while both were singing in the St. John Neumann choir.  They were married June 30, 1956, after Richard graduated with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. The couple moved to California where Richard worked for McDonald Douglas Aircraft Company, and started their family.   They moved to Freeport Illinois in 1961, becoming long time members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Richard worked as an Engineer for several area companies including Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford, Micro Switch in Freeport and Wahl Clipper in Sterling.
Richard was a private pilot and longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, camping annually at the EAA fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He also enjoyed entertaining his family and friends on his accordion and harmonica.
Richard and Lillian moved to the La Crosse, Wisconsin area in 2010 and became members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Holmen, Wisconsin.
Richard is survived by his brother Eugene (Virginia) Dudkiewicz of Romeoville, IL, children, John (Judy DeMeester) Dudkiewicz of Onalaska, Wis., Cathy (Joe) Duda of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Marcia Dudkiewicz of Kalamazoo, Mich.; four grandchildren, John (Annie) and Jeff Dudkiewicz, and Marie and Erin Powichroski; and two great grandchildren, Ella and Maggie Dudkiewicz, all of whom he was very proud. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Lillian.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made on behalf of Richard, to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Holmen, Wis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 26th, at the Benedictine Manor Chapel in La Crosse, with Rev. Robert Cook officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Richard will be interred with committal rites and military honors at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3 ^rd , at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Freeport, Ill.