Obituary of Richard Charles Wutz Sr.

RICHARD CHARLES WUTZ, Sr.

Richard Charles Wutz, Sr. "Charlie" of Lakeville, MN, passed away on Monday, December 9 at the age of 85.

Richard was born March 9, 1934 in Duluth, MN to Clara and Joseph Wutz. He grew up in Duluth and attended Central High School. From his youth he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking on the outskirts of Duluth. He had an adventurous spirit - at 16, he went to Alaska with his father and brother Joe to work on the Alaskan railroad as a telegrapher.

He joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps when he was 19 and was stationed in Korea. After serving 2 years, he returned to Duluth where he married his sweetheart, Barbara, on August 3, 1956. The following year he joined the Minnesota State Patrol and was stationed in Hibbing, MN. For the next 32 years he served as a State Trooper in the Duluth area and on the Iron Range, and lived in Hibbing, Eveleth and Esko, MN at different points in his career. He advanced through the ranks to Lieutenant and Interim Captain in Virginia, MN. During those years, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated with honors from the University of MN, Duluth. For nine months, he studied and lived in Chicago after he was selected to attend the Traffic Institute at the Center for Public Safety, School of Professional Studies at Northwestern University.

In 1989, he retired in order to pursue his many interests with Barbara. They worked together buying and selling antiques, gardening and selling at local farmers’ markets, and enjoying travel. Many special hours were spent with their children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed spending time outdoors cutting wood, watching the birds, fishing and stargazing. At the age of 82, Richard and Barbara moved from Esko to Lakeville, MN to be closer to family.

Richard was a man of integrity and quiet strength. He showed his love by his actions. He will be deeply missed and remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a man of faith and we will see him again.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Clara (Krueger) Wutz, and his brother Joseph Wutz. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Barbara (Amyotte) Wutz; son Richard Charles Wutz, Jr. (Darci Brown); daughter Dianne Marie Geier, (Mark); grandchildren Andrew Geier (Shiori Atsumi); Lauren Geier; Mackenzie Geier; nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020, at 1:00pm until the time of service at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN.