Obituary: Richard P. Westenberger
Richard P. Westenberger passed away at the age of 92 years old on August 30th, 2018 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin.
He was born in West Bend, Wisconsin on June 23rd, 1926 to Roman and Elsie (Hahn) Westenberger. He lived there until his father purchased the Rexall Drug franchise in Stevens Point, which became Westenberger’s Rexall Drug Store. When his father retired, he became co-owner of the business with his brother Robert. The business was well known for its soda fountain, sundaes, malts, and lunches though the years. Later the drug side of the business was discontinued, and the store became known as Westenberger Gifts. He was a carpenter in his free time, and created quite a number of the fixtures for the store during those years. The business remained in the family for 40 years to the day before being sold. He briefly attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, before transferring to the Stevens Point Normal School, which is now the University of Wisconsin – Stevens.
In 1950 he was married to Gloria Rybicke (deceased) from Stevens Point. They had two children, Kurt (64) living in Rhinelander, and Erich (67) living in Waupaca. He was preceded in death by his brother Eugene (West Bend), his brother Robert (Stevens Point), and his sister Audrey (Fairchild, formerly from West Bend). He has three grandchildren, Niki, Mike, and Scott.
He served in the Army in the Smoke Brigade as part of the occupation force after World War II. While there, he also served as company carpenter, doing a number of projects for them.
A private family service is planned before burial at St. Stephens Cemetary.