Richard William “Dick” Uhlich passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at home in Seneca, Kansas. He was born in Lodi, CA on June 30th, 1949 to Harold and Arlue Uhlich, and had three siblings: Debbie, David, and Dennis. He graduated from Lodi High School in 1967, then attended Delta Junior College, from which he graduated in 1969.

 

Dick had two sons, David and Christopher, from his first marriage to Kathleen “Missy” Ward. Dick married Renee Wassenberg in 1992 and they were married for 25 wonderful years. His first job was in high school at a local men’s wear store where he saved enough money to by his first car, a Mustang. He continued that passion for cars and loved to go to old car shows and had just finished restoring an old family 1982 Chevy Truck. He worked in the meat industry for nearly 50 years, starting at Goehring Meat Company in Lodi in 1969 before he began a long-time association with Harris Ranch Beef Company in 1987, where even in retirement he continued to enjoy working as a broker. Since moving to Seneca, he spent a great deal of time farming with the Wassenberg family, helping to plant and harvest the crops. He always chipped in when there was work to be done. He had no idea he would work so hard in retirement. He was truly a treasure that cannot be replaced. He cared deeply about all his family and friends and would do anything for them.

 

Dick loved to travel and had just returned from a camping trip in Colorado with Renee and their dog, Abby. He enjoyed ‘jeeping’ and exploring the back roads of any place he visited, always looking for sites of historical or local interest no matter how long it took. Having grown up waterskiing, he loved any time spent on a boat, especially when it involved fishing—from Alaska to Canada, New York to Florida, and Washington all the way down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Though he lived in Kansas, he remained close to his family and friends in California, and thoroughly relished the opportunity to go out and visit them every few months. The California Delta, with its cool breezes and great local haunts like Al’s, Giusti’s, and Foster’s Bighorn, was a favorite destination. His many years in the meat industry gave him an excuse to hone his excellent grilling skills, and he loved good food and drink. But most of all, he was a good man, kind and generous, fair, honest, and respectful, and was always looking to start up a conversation with the person standing next to him. His optimism, smile and infectious laughter will be greatly missed.

 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Missy; his son, Christopher; and his father, Harold. He is survived by his wife, Renee; his mother, Arlue; his son, David (Lisa); his sister Debbie; his brothers David (Barbara) and Dennis (Patty), and his nieces and nephews, Denise (Todd), Carrie (John), Joey (Melody), Kaitie (Ryan), Stephanie, Rebecca, and Stephen.

 

A memorial service will be held at St. Anne’s Church in Lodi on Friday. June 29th at 10 am, followed by a reception at St. Anne’s Hall. There will be a private internment at Lodi Memorial Park & Cemetery, 5750 E. Pine Street. Charitable contributions in his memory can be made to the National Park Foundation or just do something nice for someone.