Obituary of Richard Ferdinand Fenske

Richard "Dick" Ferdinand Fenske, age 82, of Las Vegas, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Richard was born May 23, 1929 in Milwaukee WI, as one of 10 children to the late Bernard and the late Mary Fenske. Dick taught chemistry at the University of Wisconsin for 30 years, and was Chairman for 5 years. He was known as a creative and enthusiastic teacher and earned many awards for his teaching style. Although his first loves were his family and teaching, Dick also enjoyed travel,piloting, poker and golf. In addition, he was a deeply spiritual man who was involved in his church and appreciated music, photography and art. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Francesca Mary Fenske; children Marybeth (Peter) Geissler of De Pere WI; Rick (Vickie) Fenske of Neenah WI, and John Fenske of Las Vegas; grandchildren: Richard, Rebecka and Jacob Fenske, Sarah, Rachel, Jonathan, and David Geissler and Alexia Shurmur; siblings Mary Bechmann and Robert (Arlene) Fenske; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Joseph Fenske. A visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, with a Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 1:00 PM, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive, Las Vegas, NV. Burial will be in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, NV at 1:20 PM on Wednesday, December 21. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to your favorite charity which supports the homeless.