Richard A. Hintze

Richard "Dick" Hintze, 73, passed away Sunday, August 20th at Saint Clare's Hospital in Weston. He was born November 12, 1943 in Wausau to Roy and Ruth (LeSage) Hintze. On September 12, 1964, he married his wife Mary Margaret (Peggy) Schield at St James Catholic Church in Wausau. Together they had five children: Rich (Beth Johnson) Hintze, Brooklyn, NY, Meg Hintze, Schofield, Rebecca (Douglas) Konkol, Madison, Jennifer (Andreas) Salzman, Creswell, OR and Nicky (Curt) Wolfgram, Schofield. He is survived by his wife and children, as well as his twelve grandchildren: Claire Johnson, Jack Hintze, Ben Konkol, Madalen (Ken) Schillo, Madeline Salzman (Ross McIntire), Olivia (Joshua) Coon, Amelia Salzman, Noah Wolfgram (Kelsee Balk-Yaatenen), Isaac Wolfgram, Patrick Wolfgram, Rose Wolfgram, Samuel Wolfgram and two great-granddaughters, Kolette and Liberty Schillo. He is further survived by his brothers David (Ed Engebretson) Hintze, Plover and Tim (Linda) Hintze, Schofield, as well as his sisters in-law, Dora Schield, Cleveland, OH and Kathy Gess, Baton Rouge, LA. He is also survived by his many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Walter and Delores Schield, granddaughter Grace Wolfgram, sisters in-law Vicki Hintze and Ruth Schield, brothers in-law Paul Schield, Klein Schield, Al Fistler and Tom Gess, niece Mary Feldhausen and nephew Mark Fistler-Gess. Dick graduated from Newman High School in 1961. He went on to complete a plumbing apprenticeship and become a journeyman plumber. He was an active member of UA Local 557, and later UA Local 434 Plumbers and Steamfitters. He was very proud of the work he did for the union, whether it was working with tools, running jobs or his last position as Business Manager. He also served as Vice President of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association. During his tenure, he worked to unite the various locals and ensure equal wages and benefits for all members. He also helped to establish training centers in Mosinee, La Crosse and Eau Claire. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and to that end became involved in Boy Scouts with his son, Rich. He was assistant scoutmaster of Troop 439 in Weston from 1978-1980 and then assumed the role of Scoutmaster from 1980-1986. He took a broken troop of six boys and developed it into one of the largest and finest troops in the council. Dick's tenure produced many Eagle Scouts, the top honor a scout can earn. Dick also had a love of hunting. When he was younger, he went deer hunting annually with his uncles and later with his kids. He also loved to go bird hunting. He made several trips to North Dakota and Canada to hunt duck and geese with his beloved dog, Sparky. A special thank you to his second family at the Log Cabin, who have provided much love and support. The family would also like to thank the staff at St. Clare's Hospital for their care of Dick over the last few years and Rennes Health and Rehab Center, especially his physical therapist, Sue Cody, without whose assistance he would not have been able to remain at home. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Very Reverend Allan Slowiak will officiate. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you make a donation to Stable Hands Equine Therapy Center, Wausau, an organization that he strongly believed in, as he saw how much the program benefitted his grandson, Sam.