Richard “Dick” L. Roth, age 82 of Rhinelander, passed away Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital, under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice. Dick was born Feb. 27, 1934 in Mitchell, S.D. to Burt and Louise (Kunkel) Roth. Dick’s parents watched as his athletic skills developed. These skills made him a well-known multi-sport player in the area. Dick was a 1952 graduate of Mitchell High School. He went on to Dakota Wesleyan University and was named the Athlete of the Year in 1956.  His pride for his playing days was evident in his stories and memories of specific games played in his youth and the detail to which he recounted them.

His college degrees brought him into the education field where he started teaching and coaching basketball in South Dakota.  He moved to Wisconsin where he took the position of High School Principal in Racine, Mayville and Rhinelander.  He then was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Manawa, Oconto Falls and Wittenberg-Birnamwood before his retirement in 1992.

Golf and bow hunting were lifelong passions for Dick and he enjoyed the many friendships and the camaraderie that came with them.  Everywhere he lived he joined the local golf leagues and spent countless hours chasing that little white ball. Dick had the privilege to score a hole in one.  Bow hunting for that elusive white tail deer eventually paid off with Dick getting a deer that received a score that put him in the Pope & Young Club of which he was very proud. Another passion of Dick’s was reading and many days you could find him doing just that at the Rhinelander Public Library.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Ann, along with his three daughters, Deborah (Michael) Smith of Sioux Falls, S.D., Terry (Lowell) Groeneweg of Hartford, S.D. and Tammy (Tim) Johnson of Phoenix Ariz.; five step-sons, Jim (Sara) Ehmann of Wausau, Eric (Elizabeth) Ehmann West Palm Beach, Fla., Brian (Joan) Ehmann of Rhinelander, Kirk (Tracy) Ehmann of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Chris “John” (Laura) Ehmann Green Bay. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Sandra Norlin of Beulah, Mich. Dick is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one sister, Cheryl. The visitation for Dick will be Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until the 3 p.m. funeral service. The officiant will be Rev. Ellen Rasmussen. Memorial contributions in honor of Dick may be given to the Rhinelander Public Library. Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Celebrating lives and healing hearts. All are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence atwww.hildebrandrussfh.com