Richard Patrick Mitchell

Richard P. Mitchell, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on August 25, 2024. Born in Chicago, IL, on March 17, 1937, he was the son of the late Celestina and John (Jack) Michalowski. 

At the age of six, Dick and his family relocated to Menasha, WI, where he attended grade school and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1955. He went on to earn a degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1959. After graduation, Dick fulfilled his military obligation by serving two years in the U.S. Navy. 

Dick began his professional journey as an analytical chemist at Thilmany Pulp and Paper. He later joined the American Can Company, where he worked as a technical service representative and eventually as a research associate in R&D. He concluded his career at the Dixie division of the James River Corporation, where he played a key role in plant startups and special projects.  

During his life and upon retirement in 1997, Dick embraced a wide array of interests, including Sea Scouts (BSA), amateur radio (W92CB), chess, camping, photography, astronomy, gardening, model trains, biking on Wisconsin’s scenic trails, and restoring antique cars and tractors. He took particular pride in his 1949 Dodge Wayfarer Roadster and his 1913 Ford Model T. 

Dick shared 64 wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, Merry. He is survived by Merry and their three children: Christopher Mitchell, Brenda (Michael) Protheroe, and Susanne (Robert) Houlihan. He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Mitchell. Dick also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Jessica (David) Konicek, James Protheroe, Jenna Protheroe, Emily Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell, Alison Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Jack Houlihan, and William Houlihan, as well as three great-grandchildren: Theodore, Remy, and Maxwell Konicek. 

A funeral mass for Dick will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 528 2nd Street, Menasha, WI. Friends and family are invited to gather at the church from 9:00 AM until the start of the mass. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Dick’s honor to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in Neenah, WI, or to a charity of your choice.