Dick and Jean met in Sunday School at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Although they attended different schools, they saw each other at all the church events, especially youth group activities. They did not start dating until after high school and then Dick enlisted in the Army. After he was commissioned and stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, they were married on March 28, 1953, at Capitol Drive Lutheran; the place where it all began for them.
Shortly after their first child was born, Dick went on to achieve his pilot’s license. A second child came along, and after several years of corporate flying, Dick started a wonderfully fulfilling flying career with American Airlines, based at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. Jean was the gold standard of moms having to hold down the fort while Dick was away on trips as he couldn’t always be the typical “at-home-for-dinner-every-night” dad. She was the den mother for the Cub Scout troop, chauffer for piano lessons and baseball games, and extraordinary cook. The family still believes she invented the food pyramid because every one of her meals were (and still are) a well-balanced mix of proteins, grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. And she’s the best pie baker ever!
Dick and Jean raised their children in the Lutheran faith and nurtured them with an abundance of blessings. They sang in the choir, were church council members and officers, and volunteered for mission trips, and all the projects and events. Dick is also a member of the Gideons, which he finds very fulfilling. They believe in giving, and giving generously, to all things. Dick and Jean have enjoyed years of world travel, and cherish their lifelong friendships and relationships from military life, neighbors, and fond church affiliations.
Dick is now 93 and Jean is 92. They still live in their own home, which is around the corner from their daughter, a retired Joy Global executive. Their son, a retired FedEx pilot, and daughter-in-law, live in South Carolina and make frequent trips to visit. Dick enjoys playing in his summer golf league, both still read, play games, make puzzles, and attend church every Sunday. And of course, they watch and cheer for the Packers, the Badgers, and the Brewers. In addition to their marvelous daughter, son, and daughter-in-law, they have an outstanding grandson who is currently serving in the Air Force, and a beautiful granddaughter, who is an American Airlines flight attendant and was recently wed to a wonderful husband.

Marriage Advice: Don’t go to bed mad!