Obituary: Richard D. McVicar, Sr. - Class of 1944

WAUNAKEE - Richard D. McVicar Sr., age 76, died peacefully at home under hospice care on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003. He was born on Oct. 28, 1926, in Madison, to Angus and Genevieve (Milward) McVicar. He graduated from Central High School in 1944, attended Ripon College and entered the Army. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater and the Korean conflict, and was a member of the Waunakee V.F.W. Post. He became a Boy Scout in 1938, earned the rank of eagle, and served the scouting program for decades. He was scoutmaster of four different troops, a Vigil Honor member of Tichora Lodge, and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Dick retired from Central Wisconsin Center, where he worked as a media specialist for 30 years. At age 60, he became an Emergency Medical Technician. He served with Waunakee Area EMS, later becoming a skill instructor for Madison Area Technical College and CPR instructor trainer for the American Heart Association. He received numerous community service awards. Dick was never far from his camera, and his dozens of photo albums of pictures of family, his beloved dogs and grand-dogs, scouting and church events, and of course of his travels to many lands. His Scottish heritage took him to Scotland many times. This love of photography was inherited from his father, Angus McVicar, and Dick was so very proud of the book "Double Take," by Zane Williams, which was recently published, and is a rephotographic survey of Madison of pictures taken by his father and Zane Williams. His family was his life. He is survived by Helen (Poulik), the woman who fell in love at first sight and became his wife and best friend of 38 years; daughter, Anne (George) Acker of Mazomanie; sons, Richard Jr. (Laurel Losenegger) of Middleton, and Stuart of Deerfield; granddaughters, Amanda and Danielle Acker, who were Papa's little princesses; sister, Charlotte (John) Larsen; several nieces and nephews; Sam and Diane Robinson, his adopted kids next door, and his faithful companion, Coney Girl. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Malcolm. He enjoyed a very active life, thanks to wonderful medical care by Dr. Ken Devries and the Waunakee clinic staff. Dr. Gene Musser, the other cardiologists, surgeons and staff of Meriter Hospital also made great contributions to Dick's many happy years., A visitation will be held at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Waunakee, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. A celebration of life and luncheon will occur at the church on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Waunakee; the Four Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America; Waunakee Area Emergency Medical Service; or HospiceCare. Winn Funeral Home 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 20, 2003