Richard Visker

May 17, 1925 ~ June 27, 2009
Richard Visker Jr., age 84, a former New Hampton resident, died of Pneumonia on Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.
Interment with military honors will be in the New Hampton City Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Merlyn Zipse, Ron Holmlund, Stan Trask, Stanley Feuchtwanger, Willis Hansen and Charles Odom.
Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Richard Visker Jr. was born May 17, 1925, in Randolph, NY, the son of Richard Dirk and Loretta (Klys) Visker. Richard left high school as soon as he turned sixteen to volunteer for service during World War II. He served as a medical corpsman aboard a hospital ship in the South Pacific during the period of 1944 - 1945. He went back to Randolph, NY, to finish his high school education and went on to nurses training at the New York State Hospital in Gowanda, NY, where he graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948. He married Betty Jean Pflugradt on August 25, 1947. Later in 1948, he volunteered for service as a medical corpsman with the Marines. He served with the Marines from 1948 - 1952. After leaving the Marines, he went to the Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy. When he finished school, he went to work as a physical therapist in Waterloo, IA, during the period of 1954 - 1961. In 1961, he returned to school a the Mayo Clinic for training in anesthesia. He graduated as a nurse anesthetist in 1965. He went to work at the former St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in New Hampton in 1965, where he continued to work until his retirement in 1988. After retiring in 1988, Richard and Betty moved to Avon Park, FL, for the winter months and returned to the New Hampton area each summer.
Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman and also enjoyed playing golf. He was an active member of the Lions Club in New Hampton for a number of years.
Survivors include one son, Scott and his wife Shanda of Lakeland, FL; one daughter, Virginia (Ginny) Visker of Iowa City; two sisters, Rachel Jorenby and Mary Searle, both of Randolph, NY; one granddaughter, Jaime Visker of Lakeland, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Bill and Tom Visker; one sister, Jean Myers.
I am Dick Gatts’ daughter. Dick is the youngest son of Jeannette Visker Gatts, and I think Richard Dirk was his cousin. It was fun to hear of his medical career and military service. I didn’t know we had yet another medical person in our family, perhaps it was all past through the Visker side! Dick’s brother, Jim Gatts and Jim’s daughter, Kathy Cubine, are doctors. Dick’s sister, Mary Jane (Gatts) Capel, was a nurse. Paul Gatts, Dick’s brother served in the navy for most of his life as a senior communications officer. He is currently 84. I have worked in a rehabilitation setting as a speech pathologist for many years and have always appreciated the physical therapists and nurses by my side. I had forgotten that my own grandmother was born in New York. I am glad that this found its way to me, although I am sorry for your loss. His photos remind me of my own sweet father, Dick Gatts, who may be one of the youngest of the Visker offspring (of that generation), at 74. His mother (Jeannette) was born in 1900, but I don’t know where she fell in the line-up of siblings. I am sending comforting thoughts from California to Iowa. He must have touched so many lives in his lifetime. What a positive life force he was on our earth. I am certain he will be missed by all those who knew him. Healing Hugs. Kristin
Your Dad came to Cedar Falls to Visit about anesthesia.I don’t recall ever seeing him again.I was at Sartori Hospital 40 years,retired in 1985.I am 89 at Western Home assisted living.Sorry for your loss. May He rest in peace
The Family of Richard Vicker, EACH ONE OF YOU ALL HAVE ARE PRAYS,THOUGHTS,YOUR SPECIAL TALKS IN YOUR FAMILY FOR EVER!I’M SO VERY SORY ABOUT MISS SPELLING SHANDA I MISSED SPELLED HER NAME I SPELLED IT HAS SANDA. PLEASE FOR GIVE ME THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. YOU ALL TAKE CARE OF EACH ONE OF YOU ALL! LOVE ALICE C.,& TOM RASING. AGAIN I’M SO VERY SORY THAT I DIDN’T SPELL HER NAME RIGHT.
To Richard Visker Famliy, To Scout,Sanda Visker,Virginia (Ginny) Visker,2 Sisters Rachel Jorenby,Mary Seare,& one Grandchild Jaime Visker, Each one of you have are Deepest Sympathy in the lose of your Dad, your Dad was an wonderful person! Richard Visker was the person when I (Alice C. Knutson) had three differnt surgeries your Dad is an very wonderful in all that he did for his famliy, Helpping others in surgeries people had to have surgeries Richard Visker, was an very special gug in what he has done though out his whole life, God, only takes the very best to heaven. God took Richard hand an took Richard to be with God in heaven! God Bless Richard,&God Watch Over Richard For Ever! No one can take away all your treasures each one have of your Dad, Grandfather,Bother, Father-in-law, an all who touched Richard Visker in any way! Richard Visker well be great missed by so very many people his family, and all. Richard, didn’t leave us Richard, just went to heavenRichard is with every one plus nows What all thats going on he well be in each ones hearts for every,Pluseach one of you all, Plus all who touched Richard Visker in any way. You all ,and every one who knowRichard ever one has all the memories,pictures,treasures that is in each one for ever. you all have are thoughts,prays,love for each one of you all. talks you had with family, Plus all the fun times spend all together, Richardhas an golden heart! If there is anything you need be sure to let us know! Genny, I think I remember you Ginny when you were little,& I’m not sure about your brother Scott I remember when your family when you both were in school,you lived east of New Hampton, an you had an awful lot of trees you planted. Each one of you well be in are heart,thoughts,prays For ever. To All Of The Family of Richard Visker, you are going through in the lose of Your Dad,Grandfather,Father-in-law,Brother,& All the people Richard Visker know ect… Richard Visker well live on for ever he has touched so very many people one couldn’t count the number of people Richard Visker touched in his live. you all are very luck to have an Super Dad,Scout,Sanda,Ginny,Jaime, Rachel Jorenby, Mary Searle To All ! We are with you all! IF YOU NEED ANY THING WE CAN HELP YOU ALL PLEASE CALL US ARE PHONE # 641-394-3568 GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU ALL,& GOD WATCH OVER EACH ONE OF YOU ALL FOR EVER! LOVE ALICE,& TOM RASING. YOUR LOVE ONE IS IN EACH ONES HEART FOR EVERMORE! NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR SPECIAL MOMENTS
Rich was our neighbor for many years as I grew up in New Hampton. He was a great friend and neighbor to my parents and I will always remember the great sweetcorn and his dog Heidi. I haven’t seen Rich in years, but his picture brings back a lot of great memories. Sorry for your loss. Kelly (Deutsch) Winter
Scott and Ginny: My sincere sympathy in the loss of your father. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Family of Rich: Our deepest sympathies go out to you at this time of sadness. Rich was a very good friend to my dad and helped him through my mom’s death. May God’s love shine on you all. Michelle
Scott and Ginny, we were shocked to read that your dad had died. I worked with him in surgery at our hospital here for several years and have many good memories of the conversations between him and the Drs. He was a good friend and we are so sorry for your loss. He truly was one of a kind!!!!
Scott and family – I am so sorry for your loss.
Viscar, We will miss your many visits to our porch at Fort Dade and your growling about everything! You gave us many hours of laughter and you will be dearly missed. Your friends Dan and Jody
Rich – We will miss you so much. We enjoyed visits from you and June. May your family and friends take comfort in knowing that you are at peace now and you are surrounded by family and friends who have passed, including Francis & Katherine Langreck (Joe’s parents). Luke will miss seeing ‘Rich’s Avalanche’ drive in our driveway for a visit. RIP Rich!
Doc, we will miss you greatly. and I will really never forget our many visits at your house at Fort Dade. Our condolences to family and friends. Skip Crockett
Doc as we called him will be sadley missed for the winter months here at Fort Dade Mobile Home Park. I always liked when he would stop by in golfcart and chat or this last winter supervised our construction going on. We send our deepest condolences to his family and nearest and dearest friends.
Scott —- ‘Gravy’ from the truckstop says hello and so very sorry to hear of your dad’s death. Please accept our sympathy!
Oh Rich– We will really miss you! The nights when you and June came to visit and get eggs were special. Tell Rich and Jean hello as I’m sure you are all together again.