Obituary for
Richard "Ric" Powers
Richard Powers
Found Eternal Peace Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 82. Preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Margaret Powers. Survived by beloved wife of 63 years: Romona (nee: Jaworski). Loving children Shawn Powers, Tina (Jake) Hafner, and Peter (Nida) Powers, grandchildren Abby and Kyle Powers. Brother of Gerald Powers. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Ric was born September 24, 1932 in Stevens Point, WI and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1951. After graduation he worked at various occupations; Most notably Fox Theaters in Stevens Point and later Milwaukee. He was the youngest theater manager in Wisconsin. Marcus Theaters was subsequently impressed with Ric’s performance and recruited him for management of the Tosa Theater in Wauwatosa, currently operating as the Rosebud Theater.
At age 20 he joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. His overseas tours of duty included, Okinawa, Japan and Germany. These assignments branched out to include military stations in Europe and the Middle East. While in the military he received a BS in Commerce with a minor in Government and Politics. After his retirement he was accepted in the Master’s degree program of UW-Milwaukee for Community Organization. His bucket list included getting a PhD in social work. Unfortunately his wish remained unfulfilled at his death.
Starting in high school and continuing throughout his life, Ric excelled at skating both Roller and Ice, including Figure Skating. Swimming; teaching all his children to swim prior to one year of age. He had a passion for skiing including downhill, cross country and water skiing, He participated every chance he got. His vocal skills were showcased in choral performances and solos before live audiences, radio and television audiences. His special interest was religious music. During his vocal heyday he acquired a following of “groupies” for his Sinatra style of performing.
When not crooning a tune, Ric’s serious side led him to participate in Pewaukee Village Board as Water Commissioner into his 70’s. In the 1970’s he was on the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Hospital Review Board. In the 1980’s, he was a member of several Halfway House Boards of Waukesha County. He participated heavily in the Democratic Party of Waukesha County.
He met Romona in 1937, but they did not date seriously until 1948 and they married in 1952. While studying at UW-Milwaukee, Ric and Romona acquired Women and Families Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. The clinic closed in 2010.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at Shuda Funeral Chapel-Stevens Point from Noon - 2:00 PM on Monday June 8, 2015. A Celebration Service of Ric’s Life will be at 2:00 pm. Burial with full military honors will be at the Guardian Angel Cemetery following the services at Shuda's. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ric’s life to the Alzheimer’s Association-Wisconsin. (www.alz.org)
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com
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