Richard William Waite, 81 of Delafield, formerly of Lake Geneva, died Feb. 2, 2013, at Angel’s Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc after a long battle with cancer.
Born in 1931, Richard was the third of four sons of Elon and Veda Waite, of Elkhorn. He attended Jackson Elementary School and was a graduate of Elkhorn High School. He married Mary Ellen Babcock in 1951 and fathered two children with her; James Richard Waite of Atlanta, Ga., and Cindy Lu Waite (Stockwill) of Escanaba, Mich.
Richard farmed for many years near Lyons. He left farming to work as a land developer and homebuilder in 1970. After the death of his wife, Mary Ellen, in 1997, Richard worked as a motor coach driver for Jones Travel and in apartment management positions in Brown Deer, Port Washington, Oshkosh and Delafield.
During much of the time after his wife’s death, Richard drew great comfort from the love and companionship of his partner, Florence Gresham.
Richard’s selflessness, humility, concern for others, tireless work ethic, humor, optimism and devotion to family and friends defined his life and endeared him to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his three brothers, Loren, Norman and Jerry Waite; his partner, Florence Gresham; his two children, James Waite and Cindy Stockwill; and five grandchildren, Crystal Juntila, Alison Waite, Dustin Stockwill, Ian Waite, and Mariel Waite.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, in the Gathering Room at the apartment building he lived in at 3270 Hillside Dr., Delafield.
An online guest registry is available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn is assisting the family.
